A cartoon published in 1962 depicting the US and USSR’s struggles during the Cold War.
China
says the US is stuck with a Cold War mentality following a statement
made by US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter over Beijing’s actions in the
South China Sea. . On
Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying (seen below)
said that Carter’s last week remarks that China was building a “Great
Wall of self-isolation” were nothing but an attempt to cover up the
US’s plans to send further military forces to the region.
She
noted that his remarks “laid bare the stereotypical US thinking and US
hegemony,” adding that, “Indeed, there are some in the US who live
physically in the 21st century, but whose minds are stuck in the Cold
War era.”
“China
has no interest in any form of cold war, nor are we interested in
playing a role in a Hollywood movie written and directed by certain US
military officials. However, China has no fear of and will counter any
actions that threaten and undermine China’s sovereignty and security,”
she added.
During a
speech at the US Naval Academy on Friday, Carter (seen below) said China
is trying to bolster its claims over the region by creating islands on
coral reefs and adding military infrastructures.
"Countries
across the region -- allies, partners, and the unaligned -- are voicing
concerns publicly and privately at the highest levels," he stressed. He also said that despite wanting free trade and a free internet, China tends to restrict both.
“China’s actions [in the South China Sea] challenge fundamental principles, and we can’t look the other way,” he added.
China's
construction of several artificial islands in the sea has been heavily
criticized by Washington, which accuses Beijing of a “land reclamation
program” to build up to 800 hectares (about 2,000 acres) of artificial
islands. . The South China Sea has
become a source of tension between China, the US, and some other
regional countries, who are seeking control of trade routes and mineral
deposits there. . China has on
different occasions asserted its sovereignty over the sea, parts of
which are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the
Philippines.
This
file photo shows a part of the city of Sansha on Woody Island in the
disputed Paracel chain, which China now considers part of its Hainan
province. (AFP)
The
US does not recognize China’s sovereignty in the disputed areas and is
weighing sending more surveillance aircraft and warships to test its
territorial claims. It fears China will use the territory as a military
base to control navigation in the sea. . China,
however, rejects the allegations and says the US is interfering in
regional affairs, deliberately stirring tensions in the South China Sea.
"Countries
across the region -- allies, partners, and the unaligned -- are voicing
concerns publicly and privately at the highest levels," he stressed. 
