US 'militarizing' South China Sea, says China
China's Defence Ministry yesterday accused the United States of "militarizing" the South China Sea by staging patrols and joint military drills there, ramping up the rhetoric ahead of a key regional security meeting in Malaysia next week.
China has repeatedly urged Washington not to take sides in the escalating maritime dispute over the area, where the Asian giant last year stepped up its creation of artificial islands, alarming neighbors and provoking US criticism.
Washington has demanded China halt land reclamation and militarization of the disputed area and pursue a peaceful resolution according to international law.
China has been angered by US navy and air force forays through waters it claims as its own, especially this month, when US Navy Admiral Scott Swift said he joined a routine surveillance flight.
The United States has also stepped up military contacts, including drills, with regional allies such as the Philippines, which also has claims in the South China Sea.
The United States was hyping up the "China threat" and attempting to sow discord between China and other claimant countries, Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a news briefing.
"China is extremely concerned at the United States' pushing of the militarization of the South China Sea region," he said.
If certain US officials wanted to take civilian flights over the South China Sea to "enjoy its beauty", China had no problem with that, he said.
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