McCain calls Chinese moves on disputed islands 'unnecessarily provocative'

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Tuesday called recent moves by China to assert control over disputed islands in the South China Sea “unnecessarily provocative.”

The statement comes after China over the weekend elected 45 legislators to govern over the Spratlys, the Paracels and the Macclesfield Bank, which are also claimed by Vietnam. On Sunday, China also approved the deployment of soldiers to guard the islands.

“The decision by China’s Central Military Commission to deploy troops to islands in the South China Sea, which are also claimed by Vietnam, is unnecessarily provocative,” McCain said. “Similarly, China’s appointment of legislators to govern all of the islands and waters that China claims in the South China Sea only reinforces why many Asian countries are increasingly concerned about China’s expansive territorial claims, which have no basis in international law, and the possibility that China will attempt to impose those claims through intimidation and coercion.”

The heightened tensions come as the Obama administration has called for a foreign policy “pivot” toward Asia, sparked in part by China's more aggressive stance.

“China’s actions in this case are disappointing and not befitting a responsible great power,” McCain said. “We must continue to urge all parties with territorial claims in the South China Sea to seek a peaceful, multilateral resolution that is based on international law and upholds the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters.”

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