US becoming driver of militarisation in South China Sea: Wang Yi
10 September, 2020
The Chinese government's senior diplomat, state councillor Wang Yi, said on Wednesday (Sep 9) america is directly intervening in territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea because of its own political needs.
It is becoming the biggest driver of militarisation in the region, Wang said.
He made the remark in a video conference with foreign ministers at an ASEAN summit.
"Peace and stability is China's greatest strategic interest in the South China Sea. It is also the normal strategic aspiration of China and ASEAN countries," Wang said in a statement posted on the foreign ministry's website.
Wang said China is willing to communicate and also have dialogue with america so as to achieve cooperation.
Last month, america blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted individuals it said were part of construction and military actions in the South China Sea, its first such sanctions move against Beijing over the disputed strategic waterway.
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