China accuses US of creating chaos in Asia to maintain hegemony

Manila/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nov 24 (efe-epa).- The Chinese embassies in the Philippines and Vietnam have accused the United States on Tuesday of creating chaos in Asia and interfering in conflicts in the region to maintain their hegemony.

The statements came after US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien’s visit to Vietnam and the Philippines between Saturday and Monday, during which he accused Beijing of promoting its interests in the disputed South China Sea.

“It shows that his visit to this region is not to promote regional peace and stability, but to create chaos in the region in order to seek selfish interests of the US,” the Chinese embassy in Manila said in a statement.

The embassy underlined that the US should stop inciting confrontation in the South China Sea and “stop making irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan and Hong Kong issue, which are purely China’s internal affairs.”

During his visit, the Trump advisor promised support to the Philippines and Vietnam in their maritime disputes with China, which reclaims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas also claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.

The Hague Arbitration Court ruled in 2016 in favor of the Philippines in its maritime claims with China, the only country in the region to have a favorable international judgment for the time being.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague had ruled in favor of the Philippines regarding its maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea.

However, China has continued with its naval expansion in the disputed areas, with ships harassing Philippine and Vietnamese fishermen.

Meanwhile, the US has increased military maneuvers in the area to defend the freedom of navigation apparently restricted by China for its neighbors.

“Facts have proved that the US is the biggest driver of the militarization of the SCS (South China Sea) and the most dangerous external factor endangering the peace and stability of the SCS,” China claimed.

The Chinese embassy in Hanoi also responded to O’Brien’s visit in a separate statement in which it accused the US of not wanting to help the countries resolve their disputes, but rather of discrediting China to maintain its hegemony in the region.

The US is not a party to these disputes but has been openly interfering in the affairs of the South China Sea on the pretext of safeguarding stability and freedom of navigation, according to the Chinese embassy in Hanoi referring to O’Brien’s visit.

The US national security advisor had met Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, during which he had underlined US’ support for Taiwan’s independence and warned China that it would face a violent reaction if it used force to coerce the island, which Beijing considers its territory.

The US and China have faced off on issues from technology and human rights to Chinese maritime militarization, and have accused one another of deliberate provocative behavior. EFE-EPA

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