Let US keep China from disputed islands, Yasay says

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Friday said that any future action by the United States to drive China from its artificial islands in the South China Sea would be its own prerogative, and in its own national interests.

Yasay was responding to a question during a television interview about comments by US Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, who said China should be denied access to the islands it has built in disputed territory.

"They said that they would prevent China from doing or undertaking these kind of activity. If it wants to do that, they have the force to do so, let them do it," Yasay said, referring to Tillerson's remarks on Wednesday to US senators.

China has built several artificial islands in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, which an arbitration tribunal last year ruled unlawful.

Tillerson earlier this week told his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that China's building of islands and putting military assets on those islands was "akin to Russia's taking Crimea" from Ukraine.

Asked whether he supported a more aggressive posture toward China, he said: "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops and, second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed."

The former Exxon Mobil Corp chairman and chief executive did not elaborate on what might be done to deny China access to the islands it has built up from South China Sea reefs, equipped with military-length airstrips and fortified with weapons.

Malacañang has since asked stakeholders to avoid actions that would threaten freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

"The remarks of Mr. Rex Tillerson during his confirmation hearing before the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee reflect his personal beliefs and should be respected," Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

"The reasonable response is to wait and see what the new administration’s policy pronouncements will be," he added.

"What is important is for both sides to remain committed to peace and stability in this part of the world and to refrain from any and all acts that would jeopardize freedom of navigation and overflights along this vital sea lane." —NB/JST, GMA News