Leaders debate over South China Sea during Shangri-La Dialogue

World Today

It’s the second day of the Shangri-La Dialogue, where the United States raised tensions with China Saturday. In a speech he gave, the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel claimed China was a “destabilizing force” in the South China Sea. China was quick to respond, rebuking Hagel in a private meeting. CCTV’s Miro Lu reports from Singapore.

Leaders debate over South China Sea during Shangri-La Dialogue

It's the second day of the Shangri-La Dialogue, where the United States raised tensions with China Saturday. In a speech he gave, the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel claimed China was a "destablizing force" in the South China Sea. China was quick to respond, rebuking Hagel in a private meeting. CCTV’s Miro Lu reports from Singapore.

Saturday morning, U.S. secretary of defense Chuck Hagel’s speech was the highlight of the day. He reaffirmed U.S.’s commitment to the region’s security and economic prosperity. He said U.S.’s strategic re-balance has made extraordinary progress. Re-balance is not a goal or a promise. It is reality. He also criticizes China over the handling of territory disputes.

Secretary Chuck Hagel said: “But in recent months, China has undertaken destabilizing, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea. We firmly oppose any nation’s use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert those claims.

The message of course didn’t go well among Chinese audience. Major General Yao Yunzhu, director of the center for China-America Defense Relations had a heated debate with Hagel at the Q&A section.

After Hagel’s speech, the deputy chief of general staff of People’s Liberation Army expressed concerns. He told Chinese reporters that in this kind of multilateral dialogue environment, it is not appropriate to single out and criticize one country. It is not beneficial for the military to military relationship building between China and the U.S. He also said that U.S.’s alliance with some countries but not others in the region is not the way forward.

General Wang Guanzhong said: “Hagel’s speech is full of hegemonic rhetoric, and full of threats and coercive language. This was a thoroughly nonconstructive speech that only stirs up instability in the region.”

Meanwhile Malaysia has also addressed the South China Sea dispute. In an exclusive interview with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, CCTV’s Rui Chenggang asked about the leader’s thoughts on the dispute.

Malaysia PM Najib Razak on South China Sea Dispute

Meanwhile Malaysia has also addressed the South China Sea dispute. In an exclusive interview with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, CCTV's Rui Chenggang asked about the leader's thoughts on the dispute.