China Protests to U.S. Meddling in Hong Kong
BEIJING (Dispatches) -- China made stern representations to a representative of the U.S. embassy in Beijing on Wednesday after the Senate unanimously passed legislation purportedly aimed at protecting human rights in Hong Kong.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu summoned William Klein, the U.S. embassy’s minister counselor for political affairs.
Ma told Klein the situation in Hong Kong was part of China’s internal affairs and demanded that the U.S. stop its meddling, the ministry added.
The United States announced on Wednesday it will provide Vietnam with another coast guard cutter for its growing fleet of ships to patrol the South China Sea amid tensions with China.
Pentagon chief Mark Esper disclosed the decision during an address in Vietnam. In his speech, Esper took aim at China, which he accused of "bullying” neighbors, like Vietnam.
"China’s unilateral efforts to assert illegitimate maritime claims threaten other nations’ access to vital natural resources, undermine the stability of regional energy markets, and increase the risk of conflict,” Esper told students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
The vessel will be Vietnam’s second cutter from the U.S. Coast Guard, which just two years ago transferred a Hamilton-class cutter to Vietnam. By providing the ships, the U.S. hopes to enable Vietnam to assert its sovereignty and deter China.
More than four decades after the Vietnam War ended, the United States is trying to coerce Vietnam into a confrontation with China.
China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year.
Beijing in July sent a ship for a months-long seismic survey to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone which is also claimed by China.
Vietnam said earlier this month it could explore legal action in the dispute, a move previously taken by the Philippines - where Esper visited earlier this week.
Speaking earlier at Vietnam’s defense ministry, Esper said the international rules-based order "has come under duress.”
"Collectively, we must stand up against coercion and intimidation, protect the rights of all nations, big and small,” Esper said.
In April, the United States delivered six patrol boats worth $12 million to Vietnam’s Coast Guard. Those vessels were in addition to another twelve "Metal Shark” patrol boats it provided to Vietnam in the last two years.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu summoned William Klein, the U.S. embassy’s minister counselor for political affairs.
Ma told Klein the situation in Hong Kong was part of China’s internal affairs and demanded that the U.S. stop its meddling, the ministry added.
The United States announced on Wednesday it will provide Vietnam with another coast guard cutter for its growing fleet of ships to patrol the South China Sea amid tensions with China.
Pentagon chief Mark Esper disclosed the decision during an address in Vietnam. In his speech, Esper took aim at China, which he accused of "bullying” neighbors, like Vietnam.
"China’s unilateral efforts to assert illegitimate maritime claims threaten other nations’ access to vital natural resources, undermine the stability of regional energy markets, and increase the risk of conflict,” Esper told students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
The vessel will be Vietnam’s second cutter from the U.S. Coast Guard, which just two years ago transferred a Hamilton-class cutter to Vietnam. By providing the ships, the U.S. hopes to enable Vietnam to assert its sovereignty and deter China.
More than four decades after the Vietnam War ended, the United States is trying to coerce Vietnam into a confrontation with China.
China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year.
Beijing in July sent a ship for a months-long seismic survey to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone which is also claimed by China.
Vietnam said earlier this month it could explore legal action in the dispute, a move previously taken by the Philippines - where Esper visited earlier this week.
Speaking earlier at Vietnam’s defense ministry, Esper said the international rules-based order "has come under duress.”
"Collectively, we must stand up against coercion and intimidation, protect the rights of all nations, big and small,” Esper said.
In April, the United States delivered six patrol boats worth $12 million to Vietnam’s Coast Guard. Those vessels were in addition to another twelve "Metal Shark” patrol boats it provided to Vietnam in the last two years.