It is regrettable that some U.S. politicians should take as priority the South China Sea issue at Monday's special summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
According to Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, the U.S. president will deliver a "tough message" to China, which he hinted is a troublemaker that bullies smaller neighbors over the South China Sea issue.
The summit at Sunnylands, California, which is said to be an opportunity for the two sides to brainstorm the promotion of relations, might turn out to be an attempt by Washington to use ASEAN as a counterweight to China's increasing influence.
Ironically, while calling for efforts to avoid unnecessary military action in the South China Sea, Washington last month sent a guided-missile destroyer 12 nautical miles off a Chinese island in the South China Sea in an obvious attempt to deter China by flexing muscles.
Washington has also emboldened nations that have disputes with China to engage in military provocation and to internationalize disputes.
More infuriating are the latest remarks of Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Even though his country is not part of the South China Sea disputes, Harris said in a public speech that the United States will continue to challenge China on the issue and that "those islands do not belong to China."
In stark contrast with Washington's self-serving plot, China has been promoting regional stability and development. China's "Belt and Road" initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are good examples.
China, a beneficiary of free navigation in the South China Sea, is always ready to promote the code of conduct and engage in the construction of civilian infrastructure in the waters to secure free navigation.
It is China's unswerving stance that the disputes over the South China Sea should be settled through direct one-on-one negotiations and consultations between China and the countries concerned.
On the South China Sea issue, Washington should bear in mind that China will never turn a blind eye to any attempt that challenges its indisputable sovereignty. Underestimation of China's resolve to defend its core interests would be a fatal mistake.
The United States is not and will never be a spokesman for an independent organization like ASEAN on any issue. It is time for sober-minded ASEAN nations to distance themselves from U.S. interference.
