The US raises strong objections to Chinese activities in the South China

Washington: Taking advantage of the situation where the entire world is busy fighting the Coronavirus menace, China has started to dominate the South China Sea region. China converted two of the islands in this region into districts and announced the appointment of administrative officers for these districts. But the United States objected to this Chinese action, saying that this is an encroachment of the sovereign rights of the neighbouring countries Vietnam and Philippines. Meanwhile, analysts have warned that the Chinese activities to establish military dominance in the South China Sea will pose a serious challenge, even for India.

Last week, the Chinese government named 80 geographical locations in the South China Sea and pretended that China had sovereign rights over these locations. These included 25 islands and 55 undersea locations. China is making moves to establish a complete power over these locations, especially in the Paracel and Spratly islands area, by appointing an administrative officer for upkeep and maintenance.

Along with the neighbours Vietnam and the Philippines, even the United States has expressed annoyance over the Chinese move. Vietnam alleged that the Chinese decision to acquire Vietnamese islands and the marine region is illegal as it is an encroachment on its sovereignty. Whereas, the Philippines has issued a summons to the Chinese Ambassador. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also has lashed out at China after taking a serious note of the developments.

The US Secretary of State made vitriolic criticism by stating ‘China is trying to tighten its grip on the South China Sea while the world is busy fighting the Coronavirus pandemic. The conspiracy of the Chinese communist party has been exposed, and the threat to the security of the United States and the other countries in the region has increased instead of decreasing in this period of Coronavirus crisis.’ Pompeo appealed ‘The United States denounces these unilateral Chinese actions and the other countries also should stand up against China.’

Meanwhile, Abhijit Singh, an analyst with the study group ‘Observer Research Foundation’ has warned that these aggressive Chinese activities in the South China Sea will increase concerns even for India. The Chinese activities will not stay limited to the South China Sea. Singh pointed out that China will steadily spread them in the Indian Ocean.