US Defense Minister Urges ASEAN To Strengthen Maritime Strength Against China's Claims Over The South China Sea

JAKARTA - United States (US) Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) to be firm and strengthen maritime forces to fight China's increasingly "destabilizing" South China Sea.

Speaking at a meeting in Malaysia with representatives of ASEAN countries on Saturday 1 November, Hegseth reiterated US concerns over what he called China's 'aggression' following more intensive efforts, such as incidents of crashing ships and using water cannons by the Chinese military in the disputed waters.

The South China Sea is considered one of Asia's most volatile hotspots. China claims the power of almost the entire South China Sea region, while ASEAN members such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also claim ownership of coastal territory and features. The Philippines, a major US ally, is the most frequently involved in clashes with China's maritime fleet.

The Philippines has repeatedly urged strong international responses and regional communities, but ASEAN is still traditional by taking into account day-to-day on the basis of economic relations with China, the region's largest trading partner.

Hegseth criticized China's latest declaration of the Beting Scarborough, which China forcibly seized from the Philippines in 2012. Now the region will be worked on by China as a "natural haphazard".

"You don't build a platform in the nature reserve," he said, describing China's activities at the uninhabited beting, Saturday, November 1, quoted from AFP.

Still in the forum attended by representatives of a number of ASEAN countries, Hegseth then assessed "there are other attempts to impose new and expanded territorial and maritime claims at your expense."

Hegseth said China's provocative actions were tantamount to challenging and threatening territorial sovereignty in the region. He then stressed that the US respects sustainable dialogue with China.

For now, said Hegseth, the US will monitor China's behavior strictly in the South China Sea.

"China's extensive territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea contradict their commitment to resolve disputes peacefully," he said.

"We want peace. We don't want conflict. But we have to make sure that China doesn't try to dominate you or anyone else," continued Hegseth.