China warns outsiders not to "sow distrust" in South China Sea

By Cate Cadell
BANGKOK, July 31 (Reuters) - China's top diplomat on
Wednesday warned outside countries not to amplify disputes in
the South China Sea, where recent Chinese manoeuvring in the
energy-rich waters has rattled regional states and drawn
condemnation from the United States.
Chinese Councillor Wang Yi touted progress on an eventual
Code of Conduct with the 10-member Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) after meeting counterparts in the Thai
capital.
Tensions have risen in the South China Sea over recent
incidents between Chinese and Vietnamese and Philippine ships,
the latest confrontations in a potential global flashpoint where
the United States challenges China's sweeping maritime claims.
Wang, who is scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo in Bangkok, reiterated after meeting ASEAN foreign
ministers that China opposes interference by countries outside
the region.
"We think non-regional countries should not deliberately
amplify such differences or disputes left from the past," said
Wang, responding to a question on the involvement of U.S. and
other non-Asian countries in the discussions.
"Non-regional countries should also not make use of these
differences to sow distrust between China and ASEAN countries."
China recently said U.S. criticism of its role in the South
China Sea, including comments by Pompeo, were "slanderous".
Wang said China is in discussions to expand and
"institutionalise" joint military drills with ASEAN countries in
the region following two previous exercises.
The South China Sea was a key topic for ASEAN foreign
ministers.
"Concerns were expressed by some ministers on the land
reclamations, activities and serious incidents in the area,"
they said in a final communique.
The reference to "serious incidents" was stronger than that
in the communique after their meeting last year, pointing to the
extent to which tension over the region has risen.
China claims large parts of the South China Sea through
which roughly $3.4 trillion in shipping passes each year.
Countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and
Vietnam contest the territorial claims.
China has unnerved the region and angered the United States
by installing military equipment and other facilities on
artificial islands it has made by reclaiming land and building
up reefs and shoals.
Researchers and analysts say the latest standoff between
Chinese and Vietnamese vessels could give the United States a
new incentive to pressure China.
But they said China was unlikely to want to inflame the
situation given its trade dispute with the United States and
protests in Hong Kong.
"That tension right now going on between China and Vietnam
will be the United States' anchor into making any statements on
the South China Sea," said Jay Batongbacal, an expert on the
South China Sea at the University of the Philippines.
"What China will be more concerned about is if the U.S.
tries to rally international support against China's
activities," he said.

(Editing by Matthew Tostevin, Robert Birsel)