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| China accuses US of putting regional stability at risk over backing of Japan in island dispute | China accuses US of putting regional stability at risk over backing of Japan in island dispute |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| China has accused the US of compromising the stability of the Asia-Pacific region after Donald Trump’s Defence Secretary confirmed Washington would back Japan if a conflict arose with Beijing over a number of disputed islands. | |
| James ‘Mad-Dog’ Mattis, Mr Trump’s controversial pick for the sensitive post, caused a stir with his comments during a two-day visit to Japan where he held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. | |
| The uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, surrounded by potentially lucrative natural gas deposits and abundant fishing grounds, are controlled by Japan but contested by China. | The uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, surrounded by potentially lucrative natural gas deposits and abundant fishing grounds, are controlled by Japan but contested by China. |
| During his trip Mr Mattis claimed the Senkakus falls within the remit of the Japan-US security treaty, under which Washington is obliged to defend all areas under Tokyo’s administrative control. | During his trip Mr Mattis claimed the Senkakus falls within the remit of the Japan-US security treaty, under which Washington is obliged to defend all areas under Tokyo’s administrative control. |
| The retired marine general, who served in Korea and Japan, said: “I want to make certain that Article 5 of our mutual defence treaty is understood to be as real to us today as it was a year ago, five years ago – and as it will be a year, and 10 years, from now.” | The retired marine general, who served in Korea and Japan, said: “I want to make certain that Article 5 of our mutual defence treaty is understood to be as real to us today as it was a year ago, five years ago – and as it will be a year, and 10 years, from now.” |
| He stated that the US opposed any unilateral action which would undermine Japanese control of the islets, which China refers to as the Diaoyu islands. | He stated that the US opposed any unilateral action which would undermine Japanese control of the islets, which China refers to as the Diaoyu islands. |
| Mr Mattis also reiterated the importance of free navigation in the strategic waterway. | Mr Mattis also reiterated the importance of free navigation in the strategic waterway. |
| But his comments angered Beijing, who released a statement calling on Washington to stop issuing “wrong information” and risk further complicating the delicate issue, bringing “instability to the regional situation”. | But his comments angered Beijing, who released a statement calling on Washington to stop issuing “wrong information” and risk further complicating the delicate issue, bringing “instability to the regional situation”. |
| In a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Tomoni Inada, Mr Mattis declared the two countries alliance was the “cornerstone” of regional stability. | In a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Tomoni Inada, Mr Mattis declared the two countries alliance was the “cornerstone” of regional stability. |
| He said: “I want there to be no misunderstanding during the transition in Washington that we stand firmly, 100% shoulder-to-shoulder with you and the Japanese people.” | He said: “I want there to be no misunderstanding during the transition in Washington that we stand firmly, 100% shoulder-to-shoulder with you and the Japanese people.” |
| The comments echoed his own statement made earlier in the week in Seoul, following a four-day visit to Japan and South Korea where, referencing North Korea, he said: “Right now we have to address the reality of the threat that your country and my country faces and we intend to be shoulder-to-shoulder with you as we face this together.” | |
| Mr Mattis visited the region in his first trip abroad in his new role, widely viewed by many as offering reassurances to the US’ allies in the region. | Mr Mattis visited the region in his first trip abroad in his new role, widely viewed by many as offering reassurances to the US’ allies in the region. |
| He praised his host country, saying: “Japan has made noteworthy contributions to regional security and to the alliance, and the United States deeply appreciates Japan’s contributions.” | He praised his host country, saying: “Japan has made noteworthy contributions to regional security and to the alliance, and the United States deeply appreciates Japan’s contributions.” |
| The Commander-in-Chief ruffled feathers during his presidential campaign, where he criticised Japan and South Korea’s commitment to their US alliance. | The Commander-in-Chief ruffled feathers during his presidential campaign, where he criticised Japan and South Korea’s commitment to their US alliance. |
| He hinted at withdrawing military backing unless more funds were pumped into the costs of housing American soldiers, of which there are roughly 28,500 in South Korea and 47,000 in Japan. | He hinted at withdrawing military backing unless more funds were pumped into the costs of housing American soldiers, of which there are roughly 28,500 in South Korea and 47,000 in Japan. |
| Mr Mattis’ trip appeared to allay fears, stating he saw “no need” for US military intervention in the South China Sea. | Mr Mattis’ trip appeared to allay fears, stating he saw “no need” for US military intervention in the South China Sea. |
| But Mr Trump has signalled a fresh direction in foreign policy towards China, who he has accused of inventing climate change and manipulating its currency to profit its own interests. | But Mr Trump has signalled a fresh direction in foreign policy towards China, who he has accused of inventing climate change and manipulating its currency to profit its own interests. |
| In his earlier visit to South Korea Mr Mattis announced a missile defence system, known as terminal high-altitude area defence (Thaad), would be deployed in the country later this year in a bid to combat the growing threat from Pyongyang. | In his earlier visit to South Korea Mr Mattis announced a missile defence system, known as terminal high-altitude area defence (Thaad), would be deployed in the country later this year in a bid to combat the growing threat from Pyongyang. |
| This was heavily criticised by China, who accused it of altering the power balance in the region. | This was heavily criticised by China, who accused it of altering the power balance in the region. |
| Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, said: “We have resolute opposition to the deployment of Thaad to South Korea by the US and (South Korea). | Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, said: “We have resolute opposition to the deployment of Thaad to South Korea by the US and (South Korea). |
| “Such actions … will jeopardise security and the strategic interests of regional countries, including China, and undermine the strategic balance in the region.” | “Such actions … will jeopardise security and the strategic interests of regional countries, including China, and undermine the strategic balance in the region.” |