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US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis delivers his address. Photo: EPA

Shangri-La Dialogue: Mattis praises China on North Korea, criticises its ‘contempt’ for other nations in South China Sea

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis made the remarks at a annual Singapore forum

Donald Trump

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Saturday that North Korea posed a global threat and praised China’s efforts to influence Pyongyang, while also criticising Beijing over its continued “militarisation” of the South China Sea.

The comments by Mattis, during the annual Shangri-La Dialogue forum, show how US President Donald Trump’s administration is looking to balance working with China to restrain North Korea’s advancing missile and nuclear programmes while dealing with Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea.

Trump has actively courted support from China’s President Xi Jinping to restrain North Korea, raising concern among Asian allies that Washington might allow China a more free rein elsewhere in the region.

Mattis said the danger from North Korea was “clear and present” and that Pyongyang had increased its pace of pursuing nuclear weapons.

A recent test launch of a North Korean missile. Photo: AP

The United States has struggled to slow North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, which have become a security priority given Pyongyang’s vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland.

The Trump administration has been pressing China aggressively to rein in its reclusive neighbour, warning all options are on the table if North Korea persists with its weapons programmes.

“The Trump administration is encouraged by China’s renewed commitment to work with the international community toward denuclearisation,” Mattis said.

Chinese Lieutenant General He Lei (R) attends the first plenary session speech by US Pentagon chief Jim Mattis at the 16th Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), ShangriLa Dialogue Summit in Singapore on June 3, 2017. Photo: AFP

“Ultimately, we believe China will come to recognise North Korea as a strategic liability, not an asset.”

The United States would work with countries in the region to put new diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea, he added.

The UN Security Council on Friday expanded targeted sanctions against North Korea after its repeated missile tests, adopting the first such resolution agreed by the United States and China since Trump took office.

In another sign of increased pressure on North Korea, Japan’s navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two US aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on Thursday.

n another sign of increased pressure on North Korea, Japan’s navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two US aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on Thursday. Photo: AP

Allies around the world have been concerned about the commitment of the United States since Trump took office on January 20 because of his “America First” rhetoric and expectations that he would concentrate on a domestic agenda.

Mattis sought to ease concerns for allies in the Asia-Pacific, saying the region was a priority and the primary effort was alliance building. He added, however, that countries must “contribute sufficiently to their own security.”

Mattis said the United States welcomed China’s economic development, but he anticipated “friction” between the two countries.

US Navy vessels in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

“While competition between the U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies, is bound to occur, conflict is not inevitable,” Mattis said.

While eager to work with China in dealing with North Korea, Mattis said that the United States did not accept China placing weapons and other military assets on man-made islands in the South China Sea.

“The scope and effect of China’s construction activities in the South China Sea differ from those of other countries in several key ways,” Mattis said.

“This includes: the nature of its militarisation... China’s disregard for international law ... (and) its contempt for other nations’ interests.”

He urged regional nations to seek solutions through mediation.

“We are going to have to work together,” Mattis said.

“I don’t think there’s room right now to pushing adversarial approaches.”

Chinese structures in the disputed Spratlys in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters

China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Mattis also said “extremist groups” must be defeated not only in Iraq and Syria but also in Southeast Asia and that the United States was working with countries in the region to improve information sharing.

The United States was training and advising troops in the south of the Philippines, he added. The United States has a small number of rotational troops in the country.

Philippine troops have been battling rebels owing allegiance to Islamic State for more than 10 days in a southern city.

Reuters, Agence France-Presse

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