China has called on the US to accept its growing security presence in east Asia and warned its neighbours that it would “respond effectively” to safeguard its territorial integrity amid simmering maritime disputes in the region.
“If the US cares about peace and prosperity, it should support China’s aspirations for safeguarding territorial integrity and regional peace,” said Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the National People’s Congress, China’s rubber stamp legislature, yesterday.
The remarks, which came ahead of the opening of the annual NPC meeting today, reflect China’s growing weariness with US regional dominance, particularly as Washington continues to press its “pivot” to Asia.