The United State remains highly concerned with China’s continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday.
“We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea. Plus, we look at what we consider to be almost predatory -- in some cases certainly predatory economic behaviour...,” Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Vietnam.
Referring to the major policy speech of Vice President Mike Pence last week, Mattis said the Trump administration seeks a relationship with China that’s grounded in fairness, reciprocity and respect for sovereignty. That means respect for international rules and for all nations’ sovereignty, whether they’re large or small, he said.
“So, we’re two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There’s going to be times we step on each other’s toes, so we’re going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship. And the military relationship is to be a stabilising force in the relations between the two countries,” Mattis said.
Responding to a question, Mattis said the US is not looking for a confrontation with China. “We are not seeing a more military, confrontational approach vis-a-vis China,” he said.