China’s Deputy Chief, General Staff Department, People’s Liberation Army of China, Wang Guangzhong, delivers his speech on “Major Power Perspectives on Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific” on Sunday, June 1, 2014, in Singapore during the Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. AP SINGAPORE—China strongly denounced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Sunday for “provocative” remarks accusing Beijing of destabilizing actions in contested regional waters. Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), told an Asian security forum in Singapore that the comments had been “unacceptable”. Abe opened the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday by urging countries to respect the rule of law — an apparent reference to perceived Chinese aggression over disputed islets in the South and East China seas. Hagel followed on Saturday by warning China against “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea and listed a number of alleged infractions, including against the Philippines and Vietnam. “The Chinese delegation… have this feeling that the speeches of Mr. Abe and Mr. Hagel are a provocative action against China,” said Wang, dressed in full military regalia. He cast aside his prepared speech and said he needed to respond to the remarks, accusing Abe and Hagel of “coordinating” with each other to attack China at the conference. “This is simply unimaginable,” said Wang, the highest ranking military official in the Chinese delegation, adding that the speeches were “unacceptable and not in the spirit of this Shangri-La Dialogue”. “The Read More …
