The United States called for China to lower tensions in
the East Sea through dialogue as the Pacific powers held first-of-a-kind talks
on friction in Southeast Asia on June 26.

PetroVietnam’s Binh Minh 02 ship’s cable which was
cut by Chinese patrol vessels on May 26.

AFP quoted Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state of East Asian and
Pacific affairs, as saying after the session in Honolulu: “We had a candid and
clear discussion about these issues. We want tensions to subside. We have a
strong interest in the maintenance in peace and stability, and we are seeking a
dialogue among all of the key players”.

While the United States and China often talk, the session on June 26 was the
first to focus specifically on the Asia-Pacific region. The dialogue was set up
during the top-level Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington in May.

Campbell said that the United States and China would hold another round of the
dialogue in China at a time to be determined.

Campbell said that the United States highlighted during the talks in the Pacific
state that it is an Asia-Pacific country with an interest in the region’s peace,
stability and prosperity.

He said that the United States explained that it is trying to build new
partnerships in the area and that it supports a strong China.

President Barack Obama’s administration has focused on building ties with
Southeast Asia, accusing the previous team of George W. Bush of neglecting the
fast-growing and often US-friendly region due to preoccupation with wars.

The United States has rallied behind Southeast Asian nations amid the high
tension in the East Sea.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged on June 25 to help the Philippines -
a treaty ally of the United States - to modernize its navy. The archipelago’s
flagship warship is an aging vessel used by the United States in World War II.

The United States and Vietnam have also been stepping up cooperation, with
Vietnam issuing a joint call during recent talks in Washington for a peaceful
resolution of disputes in the East Sea.

The United States plans joint exercises with the Philippines and a naval
exchange with Vietnam in coming weeks, although US officials have characterized
the activities as routine.

China has insisted that it wants a peaceful resolution of conflicts and has
voiced alarm at what some Chinese policymakers consider an effort to hold back
the rising power.

China’s top official at the Hawaii talks, vice foreign minister Cui Tiankai,
warned ahead of the session that US support of its partners “can only make
things more complicated.”

“I believe some countries now are playing with fire. And I hope the US won’t be
burned by this fire,” Cui said, as quoted by The Wall Street Journal.

Campbell said that the United States also told China that its rapidly growing
military spending has raised concern in the region and that “greater
transparency and more dialogue will help ease those concerns.”

AFP/WSJ