WASHINGTON – US Defense Secretary Ash Carter is criticizing China for its land reclamation projects in the South China Sea, saying the Chinese are “out of step” with international rules by militarizing disputed reefs and atolls.
Carter spoke just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in the US for a visit that includes talks with President Barack Obama.
Speaking at an Air Force conference, Carter called for an immediate halt to land reclamation by all nations with disputed claims in the South China Sea.
He said the US is deeply concerned about the pace of land reclamation and the prospect of further militarization. He said these activities have the potential to raise the risk of miscalculation or conflict among the claimant nations, which include Vietnam and the Philippines.