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Vietnam riots: China accuses US as military chiefs meet in Washington Vietnam riots: China accuses US as military chiefs meet in Washington
(4 months later)
Top military leaders of China and the US have exchanged firm warnings in Washington over the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, where Beijing's deployment of an oil rig has sparked violence in Vietnam against Chinese people and foreign commercial interests. Top military leaders of China and the US have exchanged firm warnings in Washington over the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, where Beijing's deployment of an oil rig has sparked violence in Vietnam against Chinese people and foreign commercial interests.
The US vice-president, Joe Biden, told the visiting General Fang Fenghui that The US vice-president, Joe Biden, told the visiting General Fang Fenghui that the US was "seriously concerned" about China's unilateral actions in the territorial dispute with Vietnam.
the US was "seriously concerned" about China's unilateral actions in Biden told Fang the US did not take a side in the confrontation between China and Vietnam but no nation should take provocative steps that undermined stability and peace.
the territorial dispute with Vietnam. In a subsequent press briefing Fang, the Chinese army's chief of general staff, was unapologetic and accused the US of inflaming South China Sea tensions with its military "pivot" to Asia, saying "some neighbouring countries" were using it as a chance to provoke problems.
Biden told Fang the US did not take a side in the confrontation Speaking at the Pentagon, Fang defended China's deployment of the oil rig, declaring the Chinese "cannot afford to lose an inch" of what he called the their ancestral territory. He warned that the US must be objective about tensions between China and Vietnam or risk harming relations between Washington and Beijing.
between China and Vietnam but no nation should take provocative Fang was at the Pentagon to meet with the US joint chiefs of staff chairman, General Martin Dempsey.
steps that undermined stability and peace. Dempsey struck a more diplomatic note than his counterpart, describing his meetings with Fang as "refreshingly frank and open discussion on our mutual concerns and differing opinions".
In a subsequent press briefing Fang, the Chinese army's chief of general staff, was unapologetic and accused the US of inflaming South China Sea tensions with its military "pivot" to Asia, saying "some neighbouring countries" were Dempsey said that broadly they discussed "the tensions in the South China Sea and how provocative actions can lead to confrontation".
using it as a chance to provoke problems.
Speaking at the Pentagon, Fang defended China's
deployment of the oil rig, declaring the Chinese "cannot afford to lose an inch" of what
he called the their ancestral territory. He warned that the
US must be objective about tensions between China and Vietnam or risk
harming relations between Washington and Beijing.
Fang was at the Pentagon to meet with the US joint chiefs of staff chairman, General Martin
Dempsey.
Dempsey struck a more diplomatic note than his counterpart, describing his meetings with Fang as "refreshingly frank and open
discussion on our mutual concerns and differing opinions".
Dempsey said that broadly they discussed "the tensions in the South China Sea and how
provocative actions can lead to confrontation".
"We made note of the ongoing negotiations and we made note of the alliance obligations of the United States," Dempsey said."We made note of the ongoing negotiations and we made note of the alliance obligations of the United States," Dempsey said.
The session comes on the heels of mob riots targeting Chinese The session comes on the heels of mob riots targeting Chinese at a Taiwanese steel mill and other facilities in the country. More than 20 people have reportedly been killed.
at a Taiwanese steel mill and other facilities in the country. More than 20 people have reportedly been killed. The anti-China protests began after Beijing deployed a deep sea oil rig about 150 miles (240km) off Vietnam's coast. In response Vietnam sent a flotilla of boats to the area, which continue to bump and collide with Chinese vessels guarding the rig.
The anti-China protests began after Beijing deployed a deep sea oil rig about 150 miles (240km) off Vietnam's coast. In response Vietnam sent a flotilla of boats to the area, which Speaking through an interpreter, Fang blamed any provocation on other nations in the region, including Vietnam and Japan. He said America's so-called pivot to Asia had "stirred up some of the problems which actually make the South China Sea and East China Sea not so calm as before".
continue to bump and collide with Chinese vessels guarding the rig.
Speaking through an interpreter, Fang blamed any provocation on other
nations in the region, including Vietnam and Japan. He said America's so-called pivot to Asia had "stirred up some of the problems which
actually make the South China Sea and East China Sea not so calm as
before".
The increased focus by the US on Asia has included an increase in military troops, ships and other assets.The increased focus by the US on Asia has included an increase in military troops, ships and other assets.
Thursday's meeting was the second between Chinese and US defence leaders in about five weeks.Thursday's meeting was the second between Chinese and US defence leaders in about five weeks.
In Beijing early in April the US defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, and his In Beijing early in April the US defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, and his Chinese counterpart had a stern exchange over the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Wagging his finger, Hagel told the Chinese defence minister Chang Wanquan that China did not have the right to unilaterally establish an air defence zone over disputed islands in the East China Sea with no consultation. In return Wanquan told Hagel that China was prepared to use its military if needed to safeguard its territory.
Chinese counterpart had a stern exchange over the escalating Both men talked about increased communication and cooperation between China and the US. They said they hoped to establish direct, secure telecommunication between military leadership and were exploring the idea of conducting joint exercises in a third country.
tensions in the South China Sea. Wagging his finger, Hagel told the Chinese defence minister Chang Wanquan Fang's visit to Washington was heralded with a rare full military honours ceremony on the Pentagon's parade field, complete with a US navy band, formations of troops from all of the services and a 19-gun salute. There have only been four such ceremonies during Dempsey's more than two years as chairman.
that China did not have the right to unilaterally establish an air
defence zone over disputed islands in the East China Sea with no
consultation. In return Wanquan told Hagel that China was prepared to use
its military if needed to safeguard its territory.
Both men talked about increased communication and cooperation between
China and the US. They said they hoped to establish direct, secure telecommunication between military leadership and were exploring
the idea of conducting joint exercises in a third country.
Fang's visit to Washington was heralded with a rare full military honours ceremony on
the Pentagon's parade field, complete with a US navy band, formations
of troops from all of the services and a 19-gun salute. There have only
been four such ceremonies during Dempsey's more than two years as
chairman.
The Associated Press contributed to this reportThe Associated Press contributed to this report