Beijing lashes out at Washington’s ‘pirate-style sense of insecurity’
Comments published through the official new agency Xinhua use strong terms to contradict a statement issued by the US State Department on peaceful diplomacy in the South China Sea
China’s state news agency accused the US on Saturday of having a “pirate-style sense of insecurity” in response to recent comments from Washington expressing concern over Beijing’s territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea.
Xinhua News Agency took issue with remarks by US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Monday that Chinese land reclamation and construction work on disputed South China Sea islands were “fuelling greater anxiety within the region about China’s intentions”.
Washington said it will continue to raise its concerns with China and urged all parties to avoid destabilising activities.
“As we’ve said many times, we encourage all claimants to pursue peaceful and diplomatic approaches to maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea,” Psaki told reporters at a daily briefing.
In its response, Xinhua labelled Psaki’s comments “strikingly biased and by no means conducive to solving the disputes and bolstering peace and stability”.
