Mattis presses Beijing over N. Korea, South China Sea

Singapore, June 3 (IANS) US Defence Secretary James Mattis on Saturday urged China to make more efforts to contain North Korea and warned that America will not accept China's militarisation in the disputed South China Sea.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual defence summit in Singapore, James Mattis called North Korea's nuclear programme and ballistic missile tests as the "most urgent threat" to peace and stability.

According to Mattis, US President Donald Trump's administration considers China's commitment to the shared goal of denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula encouraging, but urged Beijing to act.

"North Korea poses a threat to us all. It is therefore imperative that all countries do their part to fulfil their obligations and work together to support our shared goal of denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula," he added.

Mattis said the US will maintain its close cooperation with Japan and South Korea to ensure its security, adding that Washington is working with allies and the UN partners to increase diplomatic pressure on the North Korean regime, Efe news reported.

After pleading for China's cooperation to address Pyongyang's threat, Mattis warned Beijing that the US will not accept its militarisation policy in the South China Sea, whose sovereignty is also partially claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

China claims almost the whole of this strategic maritime space where, during the past few years, it has built facilities on artificial islands that could be of military use, leading to mounting tension in the region.

"We oppose countries militarising artificial islands and enforcing excessive maritime claims unsupported by international law," said Mattis.

"We cannot and will not accept unilateral, coercive changes to the status quo," he added.

Mattis asked for the order based on legality and insisted that Washington considers the ruling of the Court of Arbitration in The Hague, in favour of the Philippines over the South China Sea disputes with Beijing, binding.

However, he reiterated the US' willingness to work closely with China diplomatically and economically, and to build a constructive, result-oriented and mutually beneficial relationship.

Mattis also wanted to reaffirm the US commitment to strengthen alliances in the region, an issue that has been in question after Trump assumed office and made decisions, including Washington's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Mattis' views on North Korea and China were backed by other participants in the forum.

Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne called on Beijing to use its influence, including its status as the main foreign investment source, energy and being Pyongyang's major exporter, over North Korea.

His Japanese counterpart, Tomomi Inada, expressed support for Washington's decision for any action, including a military offensive, to address North Korea's nuclear programme.