Politics
16:08, 24-May-2018
US decision to disinvite China to naval drill 'unconstructive': defense ministry
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The US decision to disinvite China to participate in the Pacific Rim military drill is unconstructive, China’s defense ministry said in a statement on its website.
The defense ministry also stated that China has indisputable sovereignty over relevant islands and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea.
Whether China is invited or not, it is impossible to change China’s will to defend regional peace and stability, nor shake China's resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and interests, wrote the defense ministry.
Mexican Navy's ARM Usumacinta (A-412), at sea off the Coast of Oceanside, California during Rim of the Pacific 2016, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, US, August 2, 2016. /VCG Photo
Mexican Navy's ARM Usumacinta (A-412), at sea off the Coast of Oceanside, California during Rim of the Pacific 2016, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, US, August 2, 2016. /VCG Photo
"This decision by the United States is not constructive. Closing the door to communication at any time is not conducive towards promoting mutual trust and communication between the Chinese and US militaries".
"The United States has no right to make irresponsible remarks about this," it added.
Speaking at a separate briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has sovereign rights in the South China Sea and it is not realistic for the United States to use this kind of action to try to coerce Beijing.
The Rim of the Pacific exercise, known as RIMPAC and previously attended by China, is billed as the world's largest international maritime exercise and held every two years in Hawaii in June and July.
(Top image file photo)