Blinken criticizes China for 'destabilizing actions' in South China Sea
Photo: Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over China's "destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea, informs CNN.
The US foreign policy chief expressed this position in Laos during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The two leaders discussed bilateral, regional, and global issues.
"The Secretary made clear that the United States, together with our allies and partners, will advance our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
In response, Wang Yi told Blinken that the US has a "wrong perception of China" and urged a return to a "rational and pragmatic China policy." The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the diplomats will continue to maintain contact.
Agreement with the Philippines
Blinken also welcomed the unimpeded resupply for Filipino troops stationed on the military ship in the area of the Second Thomas Shoal, which is a disputed territory between Beijing and Manila. Such missions had been a cause of several months of escalating tensions between the countries, but last week the governments reached a temporary agreement to settle the supply issue.
"We are pleased to take note of the successful resupply today of the Second Thomas Shoal, which is the product of an agreement reached between the Philippines and China," said the Secretary of State.
Blinken's visit to Asia
This week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting several Asian countries. The head of American diplomacy is visiting Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia.
The visits come amid heightened tensions between the US and China and the White House's efforts to stabilize the complicated relationship between the countries.
In particular, during his visit to the Lao capital Vientiane, Blinken expressed concern over China's support for Russia's defense-industrial base. The Secretary of State made it clear that if Beijing does not take steps to address this threat to European security, the US will act independently to eliminate it.
Recently, the Pentagon expressed concern over the flight of Russian and Chinese bombers close to the coast of Alaska.
The US is also concerned about the closer ties between Russia and China, as noted in the new Arctic strategy for 2024.
