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Chinese media criticises Vietnam on South China Sea dispute
Chinese state-run media today lashed out at the Vietnam and the Philippines for bringing in "outside forces" like India and US as "bargaining chip" to counter China's claims over the oil rich South China Sea.
Chinese state-run media on Monday lashed out at the Vietnam and the Philippines for bringing in "outside forces" like India and US as "bargaining chip" to counter China's claims over the oil rich South China Sea.
In a hard hitting editorial titled "Manila, Hanoi at it again" the state-run China Daily said the two countries were busy making more trouble lately to China by going back on their word to resolve the South China Sea dispute bilaterally with Beijing.
"Both have made it clear that they are trying to invite outside forces into the issue as bargaining chip. Such attempts are doomed to fail too," it said.
"By repeatedly going back on their own word, they not only put their own credibility at stake, but also erode the political trust between them and China."
"For its part Vietnam is involving India in the disputes through a joint exploration project tapping oil resources in the disputed waters.
India has rejected China's opposition to the project claiming its follows international regulations," the editorial said.
It said Manila's proposal to mark Exclusive Economic Zones to enable countries to carry out exploration does not confirm to international law, it said.
The Philippines, along with Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan, which have claims over various islands in South China Sea also sought US help to resolve their disputes with China.
"China opposes any form of interference from outside forces into its maritime disputes with some South East Asian countries.
It hopes countries outside the region respect and support countries to solve the problem through the bilateral channels," it said.
What the Philippines and Vietnam have done indicates they do not take China's stance seriously.
They also do not take seriously their own vows to avoid exacerbating the disputes and advance bilateral ties with China, it said.
"Hence should China's goodwill in maintaining friendly ties with two countries continue to be exploited, such caprice will be remembered," it said.
