China pushed back against U.S. President-elect Donald
Trump’s claim that its military stole an American naval drone last week,
as the Philippines called the seizure off its coast “very troubling.”
The unmanned underwater vehicle was removed in a “responsible
and professional manner" to protect shipping, Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing on
Monday. Trump said on Twitter on Saturday that China had “stolen” the
drone in an “unprecedented act,” later adding that China should keep it.
“We don’t like the word ‘steal’ -- the word is
absolutely inaccurate,” Hua said at a regular daily briefing, adding
that China was still negotiating with the U.S. military about the
drone’s return. “This is just like you found a thing on the street, and
you have to take a look and investigate it to see if the thing belongs
to one who wants it back.”
The Pentagon said a Chinese naval vessel unlawfully
seized the drone Thursday while the USNS Bowditch was attempting to
collect it about 50 nautical miles northwest of the Philippines’s Subic
Bay. The incident showed how quickly tensions between the nations could
escalate as China challenges U.S. naval supremacy in Asia and Trump
signals a more confrontational approach to the world’s second-biggest
economy.China claims more than 80 percent of the South China
Sea, where it has constructed artificial reefs and built up its military
presence. The nearest disputed area of the sea from the latest incident
is Scarborough Shoal, which China has controlled since a 2012 standoff
with the Philippines, a U.S. security ally that also claims the feature.
‘Very Troubling’
In a statement Monday, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana said the incident was a matter for China and the U.S. to
resolve among themselves. Nonetheless, he said, it was “very troubling”
because it occurred within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive
economic zone.
“Not only does it increase the likelihood of
miscalculations that could lead to open confrontation very near the
Philippine mainland, but the commission of activities other than
innocent passage which impinge upon the right of the Philippines,”
Lorenzana said.
China has sought to maintain “strategic composure” in
response to Trump’s criticisms of the country’s policies on everything
from trade policy to Taiwan. On Monday, Hua suggested the China was
holding fire in responding to Trump’s tweets until he takes office.
“Our
focus is the U.S. administration’s words, behavior and policies,” Hua
said. “Regarding the postings on Twitter made by U.S. President-elect
Mr. Trump, I’ve noticed that there are lots of comments from
international community already, and me, as a spokesperson for China’s
foreign ministry, I don’t have extra comments to make.”
At the same time, China is
preparing
for a deterioration in relations next year. In an editorial last week
after Trump questioned the One-China policy, the Global Times warned:
“We shall harbor no illusions, and get ready to wrist-fight with Trump.”
— With assistance by Keith Zhai, and Cecilia Yap
