China will defend its maritime rights: defense minister said on Monday during a US visit. Although General Chang Wanquan and his US counterpart, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel, struck an optimistic tone after more than three hours of talks, the Chinese official made clear Beijing would not make concessions when it comes to its core interests. “We always insist that related disputes be solved through dialogue and negotiation,” Chang told a joint news conference at the Pentagon. “However, no one should fantasize that China would barter away our core interests, and no one should underestimate our will and determination in defending our territory, sovereignty and maritime rights,” he said. China claims virtually all of the South China Sea, despite rival claims from other countries in the region, which have accused Beijing of staging a gradual takeover of disputed islets. And Japan and China are locked in a bitter feud over which country has sovereignty over islands in the East China Sea.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 10:24:17 +0000
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