Obama warns China of ‘consequences’ for its aggression, advises restraint | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Obama warns China of ‘consequences’ for its aggression, advises restraint

Washington | ByPTI
Sep 05, 2016 03:49 PM IST

Warning China of “consequences” due to its aggressive behaviour, US President Barack Obama has asked the communist nation to restrain itself from worrying its neighbours in the disputed South China Sea region.

Warning China of “consequences” due to its aggressive behaviour, US President Barack Obama has asked the communist nation to restrain itself from worrying its neighbours in the disputed South China Sea region.

In this September 4 photo, US President Barack Obama arrives at the Hangzhou Exhibition Center to participate in G-20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.(AP)
In this September 4 photo, US President Barack Obama arrives at the Hangzhou Exhibition Center to participate in G-20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.(AP)

China is locked in disputes in the South China Sea with the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. A UN-backed international court in July ruled that China never had historic rights over islands in the South China Sea, in a verdict that was snubbed by Beijing.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Part of what I’ve talked to communicate to President Xi (Jinping) is that the United States arrives at its power, in part, by restraining itself,” Obama said.

“You know, when we bind ourselves to a bunch of international norms and rules, it’s not because we have to, it’s because we recognise that, over the long-term, building a strong international order is in our interests. And, I think, over the long-term, it will be in China’s interests, as well,” he told CNN in an interview recorded before he left for China to attend the G20 Summit.

“So where we see them violating international rules and norms, as we have seen in some cases in the South China Sea or in some of their behaviour when it comes to economic policy, we’ve been very firm. And we’ve indicated to them that there will be consequences,” Obama said.

Read: ‘This is our country’: Chinese official shouts as Obama lands for G20 summit

What the US has tried to emphasise to China is that if it is working within international rules and international norms, then they should be partners, he asserted.

“There is no reason that China and the US cannot be friendly competitors on the commercial side and important partners when it comes to dealing with the many international problems that threaten the two countries,” Obama said.

Obama noted China has been run during his lifetime by a Communist party that has been “much more anti-Western” in the past.

“We went through a period over the course of 20 years, in the ‘90s and on through maybe the onset of my presidency, where, because state-sponsored capitalism and an export-driven model was very successful, China was less interested in making waves,” Obama said.

“But, you know, you’ve got over a billion people, one of the largest economies now in the world. And so it’s to be expected that they will want a bigger seat at the table when it comes to international affairs. And what we’ve said consistently is we welcome the peaceful rise of China, consistent with international norms. That’s good for everybody. An impoverished and collapsing China would be dangerous for everybody,” Obama said.

Read: Airport tiff shows value gap: US prez Obama on Chinese official’s outburst

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On