China has urged the U.S. to stop "sowing discord" in the South China Sea, accusing Washington of escalating tensions in the strategically vital region. The warning came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized China's plans to establish a nature reserve on Huangyan Dao, a territory Beijing claims as its own.
🗣️ "The U.S. has repeatedly made unwarranted remarks and interfered in maritime disputes," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a press briefing. "By courting certain countries to create conflicts, they’ve disrupted peace."
Why It Matters
The South China Sea isn’t just about fish and coral reefs—it’s a geopolitical hotspot where trillions in trade flow annually. China’s recent move to create a marine reserve highlights its push to solidify control, while the U.S. backs allies like the Philippines in opposing it.
China’s Stance
Lin emphasized that Huangyan Dao is "an inherent part of China’s territory", calling U.S. criticism "illegal and invalid". He dismissed a 2016 international tribunal ruling against China’s claims as a "political farce" orchestrated by Washington.
ASEAN’s Role
Despite friction, China says it’s working with ASEAN nations to keep the region stable. Both sides aim to finalize a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea—a potential game-changer for resolving disputes peacefully. 🌏🤝
Will cooler heads prevail? For now, the ball’s in America’s court.
