China.com, an authorized portal site established by the Chinese government, published a commentary stating that the United States has no right to make irresponsible remarks on the South China Sea issue.
The commentary was responding to the statement the U.S. State Department made following a Japanese media report that China had developed a draft plan to establish an air defense identification zone in the South China Sea. The U.S. statement claimed that China’s action was “a unilateral provocative act.”
The article stated that this was the second time in recent years that the United States had accused China of "provocation" for defending the sovereignty of the South China Sea. It argued that the Chinese government has the right and duty to implement management of the biological and non-biological resources in the related reefs and waters. Even if China really announces an identification zone in the South China Sea, it is China’s business and China has the right to do so. Why is the United States so sensitive about the South China Sea issue?
The article said that it is the United States that is provocative in the South China Sea. The new U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship is "free" in the South China Sea and earlier made a "standardized routine" cruise and carried out simultaneous "comprehensive reconnaissance missions." The United States has had a military presence in the South China Sea for decades. When did the U.S. ever give a reasonable explanation? The United States sending warships to the South China Sea is itself a "provocative" act and is a manifestation of the U.S’s strategy of returning to the Asia-Pacific.
Source: China.com and Huanqiu, February 4, 2014
http://opinion.china.com.cn/opinion_28_91228.html
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/opinion_world/2014-02/4807292.html