US Congressman introduces bill to block China
The bill aims to strengthen maritime security capabilities for Southeast Asian countries and expand freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.
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| On April 27, presenting before the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter identified five threats including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and terrorism. Photo: US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE |
According to local time, (April 28), four US congressmen submitted a bill titled "Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative Act of 2016".
The senators include Cory Gardner, chairman of the East Asia Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Ben Cardin, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and member of the East Asia Subcommittee; Robert Menendez, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Brian Schatz.
Of the four congressmen, three are Democrats and Cory Gardner is a Republican.
According to Congressman Cory Gardner's website, the bill includes the following key points:
• Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide foreign military financial assistance, international education and military training activities in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance maritime security capabilities.
• Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State's Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative.
• Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, to provide assistance to enhance maritime security and domain awareness to Asia-Pacific countries.
• Upgrade the military supply status of the Philippines to that of America's closest allies.
• Prioritize Asia-Pacific allies and maritime countries in ASEAN in the transfer of defense goods.
• Require the US government to report on plans to implement freedom of navigation, build maritime security capacity of partners along with China's activities in the East Sea.
In announcing the new bill, Congressman Robert Menendez said: “For too long, China has continued its aggressive and expansionist policies. The United States has played an observer role, or at times objected, but has not been the primary actor.”
“China’s ongoing reclamation and militarization of the South China Sea threatens regional stability and challenges international law,” Congressman Cory Gardner explained.
“We need to commit to working with our allies to counter Beijing’s actions, to fight for international law and freedom of navigation,” he stressed.
He explained that the bill is an important step to protect US economic, diplomatic and military interests in the region.
Foreign Policy magazine quoted an anonymous Senate senator as saying that the bill aims to push the US government to take a stronger stance on China's actions in the East Sea.
Meanwhile, at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 27 attended by Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, lawmakers commented that the US government's policy on the East Sea is weak and unclear.
“There is nothing more symbolic than doing freedom of navigation exercises once a quarter,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Ky. He suggested weekly or monthly patrols. He said China has become a geopolitical rival of the United States.
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 27, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that freedom of navigation operations near artificial islands will become more frequent. He said that China has alienated its neighbors and could lead to conflict and instability. He stressed that China will be isolated if it does not change its actions and clarify its claims in the East Sea in accordance with international law. The new bill would be a response to China’s persistent challenge to the rule of law and militarization in the South China Sea… The time has come for the United States and its partners to take clear and concrete measures to support a rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific. Congressman BEN CARDIN |
According to Ho Chi Minh City Law
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