Singapore calls for breaking the vicious cycle in the East Sea dispute

Singapore's Prime Minister today called on countries to break the "vicious cycle" in the East Sea dispute, as the US and China are exchanging words over artificial islands Beijing has illegally built in the area.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue tonight. Photo: ChannelNewsAsia

Speaking to defense chiefs from 26 countries at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today reiterated his call for China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reach a code of conduct in the South China Sea as soon as possible, saying this would help break the “vicious cycle” and prevent conflict from damaging relations.

"If a clash happens on the ground and escalates into a larger-scale conflict or tension, even if it is intentional, but more likely unintentional, that would be very bad. But even if we avoid a clash on the ground, if the outcome is decided on the basis that might is right, it will set a bad precedent," Mr Lee Hsien Loong said today.

Singapore’s Prime Minister said these maritime disputes can be managed and contained. According to Channel News Asia, Mr. Lee said that the best outcome would be for all parties to comply with international law. According to Mr. Lee, although non-claimant countries like Singapore cannot take sides, they are involved in the maritime disputes and how they are resolved.

After weeks of angry rhetoric, the US and China traded barbs again today. Just hours before Mr. Lee spoke, the Pentagon said China had placed mobile artillery systems on a reef it had reclaimed in the South China Sea. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter also called on Beijing to stop the reclamation, saying the activity was contrary to regional consensus.

According to Reuters, Singapore's prime minister said China's rise has been peaceful so far, within the established international order, and the key to this development will be Beijing's relationship with Washington. "All Asian countries hope that US-China relations will be positive. No country wants to choose sides, the US or China," Mr. Lee said.

The Shangri-La Dialogue is an Asia-Pacific security summit, first held in 2002.

According to vnexpress