HANOI, Vietnam – US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter discussed halting land reclamation in the South China Sea with his Vietnamese counterpart in Hanoi on Monday, June 1, in talks focused on maritime security.
The meeting came after the United States on Saturday called for an immediate end to all such work in the disputed waters where both Vietnam and Beijing have reclaimed land.
“The US and Vietnam are working together to ensure peace and stability in this region and beyond,” Carter told reporters at a press conference in Hanoi following “in-depth” talks on regional maritime disputes with Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh.
Thanh did not reveal Hanoi’s position on the US call to halt reclamation but insisted its activities were not an attempt at expansion.
“We have some activities to enhance and consolidate the islands that are under our sovereignty,” Thanh told reporters. “We do not expand the islands, we just consolidate to prevent erosion because of waves.” – Rappler.com
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