Shangri-la Adversary

In the 15^th Asia Security Summit, or Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore, United States and China exchanged sharp criticisms over their recognition on the security situation of South China Sea. U.S. sent a large delegation to show presence in the region, while China accumulated bilateral dialogues with its supporters in the region. Japan, siding U.S., made effort to create an environment, in which China would feel uneasy.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, stressed importance of building “principled network security” in the region. “Unfortunately, there is growing anxiety in this region,” told Carter in Shangri-La Dialogue, “and in this room, about China’s activities on the seas, in cyberspace, and in the region’s airspace.” “Indeed, in the South China Sea, China has taken some expansive and unprecedented actions that have generated concerns about China’s strategic intentions,” added Carter. He emphasized that China was isolating itself, using an expression: “China could end up erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation.”

U.S. has been frustrated with China’s action in South China Sea. China expanded its operation of landfill to 13 square kilometers last year, six times greater than in past years. It is supposed that China is seeking controlling power in the triangle surrounded by Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands and Scarborough Shoal, where is the crossroad for international trading ships. U.S. is also concerned about China’s action to set air defense identification zone in the area.

China immediately rebutted. Chinese Deputy Chief of Joint Staff, Sun Jianguo, insisted that China did not make trouble. “China will not bear the consequences, nor will it allow any infringement on its sovereignty and security interest, or stay indifferent to some countries creating chaos in the South China Sea,” said Sun in his remarks at Shangri-La Dialogue. “Actually I am worried that some people and countries are still looking at China with the Cold War mentality and prejudice. They may build a wall in their minds and end up isolating themselves,” added Sun.

Japan firmly stood by U.S. “We are strongly concerned with China’s action, which deviates from maritime order based on international laws,” told Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, supporting Operation for Freedom of Navigation by U.S. Force. But, security relationship between Japan and U.S. has been disturbed by an incident of abandoning corpse of young lady by a worker for U.S. base in Okinawa. Nakatani and Carter agreed on redefining the tail of U.S. Force in Status of Forces Agreement. It is still unclear how firm security relationship of the two nations is.