VOA慢速英语:七国领导人“深切关注”亚洲紧张局势
The Group of Seven industrialized nations said it is “deeply concerned” about tensions in the East andSouth China Seas. China is involved in territorialdisputes with countries in the area.
Representatives from the G-7 nations met Wednesdayin Brussels. In a statement released after the meeting, the group said it opposes attempts by one country tomake territorial or maritime claims through use of intimidation, coercion orforce. The statement did not name any country. But it is seen as a criticism ofChina, whose neighbors accuse it of using strong methods to strengthen itsclaims of control over disputed areas.
Both China and Japan claim sovereignty over a group of islands in the EastChina Sea. The islands are known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu inChina. The dispute worsened when China declared an Air DefenseIdentification Zone in the area. On May 25, a Japanese spokesman saidChinese fighter jet flew close to a Japanese plane where the countries' airdefense identification zones overlap.
In the South China Sea, China and Vietnam are involved in a dispute about astate-owned Chinese oil-drilling platform that was placed off the coast ofVietnam. Both countries’ ships have exchanged water- cannon fire.
Vietnam state television recently showed a video of a Chinese ship crashinginto a small Vietnamese fishing boat near the platform. Vietnam and Chinablamed each other for the incident, which happened May 26th.
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A Vietnamese boat (L) which was rammed and then sunk by Chinese vessels near disputed Paracels Islands. (File photo) |
The video shows a much larger Chinese boat moving toward two Vietnamesefishing boats. One of the Vietnamese boats moves onto its side in front of theChinese boat and turns over. When the crash happened, a man on aVietnamese boat from where the video was shot says “Oh! The boat’ssinking!”
Vietnam said Thursday the platform had been moved. But it said it is stillwithin its 200-nautical mile economic zone. China said the platform is withinits waters.
The deployment of the platform is also being blamed for anti-Chinese riots inVietnam last month. At least four workers were killed.
China’s claims in the South China Sea are also disputed by the Philippines,Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China claims about 90 percent of the possiblyenergy-rich South China Sea.
The United States does not take a position in the disputes. But it has stronglycriticized China’s actions. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently calledChina’s actions “destabilizing.”
China rejects such statements. It says they represent foreign interference in its affairs. It has not commented on the G7 statement.
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