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| South China Sea: China media warn US over 'confrontation' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Blocking China from islands it has built in contested waters would lead to "devastating confrontation", Chinese state media have warned. | Blocking China from islands it has built in contested waters would lead to "devastating confrontation", Chinese state media have warned. |
| The angry response came after secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson said the US should deny Beijing access to new islands in the South China Sea. | The angry response came after secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson said the US should deny Beijing access to new islands in the South China Sea. |
| Two state-run papers carry editorials strongly criticising his comments. | Two state-run papers carry editorials strongly criticising his comments. |
| The hawkish Global Times tabloid warned that any such action would lead to "a large-scale war". | The hawkish Global Times tabloid warned that any such action would lead to "a large-scale war". |
| Beijing has been building artificial islands on reefs in waters also claimed by other nations. Images published late last year show military defences on some islands, a think-tank says. | Beijing has been building artificial islands on reefs in waters also claimed by other nations. Images published late last year show military defences on some islands, a think-tank says. |
| Speaking at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Mr Tillerson likened China's island-building to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. | Speaking at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Mr Tillerson likened China's island-building to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. |
| "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island-building stops and second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed." | "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island-building stops and second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed." |
| China's official response, from foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, was muted. China had the right to conduct "normal activities" in its own territory, he said. | China's official response, from foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, was muted. China had the right to conduct "normal activities" in its own territory, he said. |
| Asked specifically about the remark on blocking access, he said he would not respond to hypothetical questions. | Asked specifically about the remark on blocking access, he said he would not respond to hypothetical questions. |
| 'Unrealistic fantasies' | 'Unrealistic fantasies' |
| But editorials in the China Daily and the Global Times were more direct in their comments. | But editorials in the China Daily and the Global Times were more direct in their comments. |
| The China Daily suggested Mr Tillerson's remarks showed ignorance of Sino-US relations and diplomacy in general. | The China Daily suggested Mr Tillerson's remarks showed ignorance of Sino-US relations and diplomacy in general. |
| "Such remarks are not worth taking seriously because they are a mish-mash of naivety, shortsightedness, worn-out prejudices and unrealistic political fantasies," it said. | "Such remarks are not worth taking seriously because they are a mish-mash of naivety, shortsightedness, worn-out prejudices and unrealistic political fantasies," it said. |
| "Should he act on them in the real world, it would be disastrous. | "Should he act on them in the real world, it would be disastrous. |
| "As many have observed, it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US. After all, how can the US deny China access to its own territories without inviting the latter's legitimate, defensive responses?" | "As many have observed, it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US. After all, how can the US deny China access to its own territories without inviting the latter's legitimate, defensive responses?" |
| The Global Times, a nationalist daily, suggested that Mr Tillerson's "astonishing" comments came because "he merely wanted to curry favour from senators and increase his chances of being confirmed by intentionally showing a tough stance toward China". | The Global Times, a nationalist daily, suggested that Mr Tillerson's "astonishing" comments came because "he merely wanted to curry favour from senators and increase his chances of being confirmed by intentionally showing a tough stance toward China". |
| China would ensure his "rabble rousing" would not succeed, it went on. | China would ensure his "rabble rousing" would not succeed, it went on. |
| "Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish." | "Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish." |
| The Obama administration has spoken out strongly against the island-building, pledged to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and sending navy ships to sail in contested areas. | The Obama administration has spoken out strongly against the island-building, pledged to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and sending navy ships to sail in contested areas. |
| But it has not threatened to block access to the islands, a step likely to enrage Beijing. | But it has not threatened to block access to the islands, a step likely to enrage Beijing. |
| Mr Tillerson did not explain how the US might block access to the islands, and both Chinese papers suggested a wait-and-see policy. | Mr Tillerson did not explain how the US might block access to the islands, and both Chinese papers suggested a wait-and-see policy. |
| "It remains to be seen to what extent his views against China will translate into US foreign policies," the China Daily said. | "It remains to be seen to what extent his views against China will translate into US foreign policies," the China Daily said. |