全面抗中 美要求撤南沙飛彈 自由 20181116

【Comment】

The “disputed features” is the US’s new description toward the Spratly Islands.   

Comparing to what the President Obama has done nothing against Beijing’s islands-making and then militarization them, the President Trump now is demanding Beijing to retreat all the missiles on the “islands.”  That might be the first step of serial moves.

The report also mentioned that a US-friendly Taiwan is equally important to the freedom of navigation over South China Sea.  That is the first time Taiwan is defined as such.

全面抗中 美要求撤南沙飛彈    自由 20181116

彭斯：印太容不下帝國與侵略

〔編譯茅毅／綜合報導〕美國副總統彭斯十五日在新加坡向東協（ASEAN）成員國領袖表示，「印度︱太平洋地區容不下帝國和侵略」，這番話被外界廣泛解讀為暗指正持續擴張權力的中國。另一方面，華盛頓時報十四日報導，美國正要求中國移除部署在南海的南沙群島爭議島礁上的所有先進飛彈。此乃川普政府首度對中方提出如此要求。

川普政府首度對中方提出要求

美國國務院在九日公布的美中外交安全對話成果的「事實資料」中，揭露了美方要求中國從南沙群島爭議地形（即島礁）撤除其飛彈系統，並重申各國都應避免透過脅迫或恐嚇來解決爭端。

五角大廈六月透露，中國已在菲律賓外海的美濟礁、永暑礁、渚碧礁部署飛彈或電子干擾設備，包括「鷹擊12B」反艦巡弋飛彈及「紅旗9B」防空飛彈。美國印太司令部司令戴維森已指稱，這些飛彈會對美國軍事行動造成「重大挑戰」。

彭斯十五日在與東協舉行峰會致開幕詞時強調，美國所追求的印太，「是一個無論大國、小國，所有國家都能繁榮及興旺的所在，是可以確保我們的主權、確信自我價值和共同持續茁壯的地方」。他並意有所指地說，美國與東協國家一致同意，帝國及侵略在印太無容身之地。

彭斯提到，美國對印太的願景是，「沒有任何國家會被排除在外」，該願景只需要區域內每個國家均尊重其鄰國、彼此的國家主權與國際法治。彭斯指稱，美國為了航行自由而與東協國家共同維護海空自由，並決心確保東協國家在領土、領海及數位世界的主權邊界。對於彭斯前述談話，星國總理李顯龍表示，當強權競逐時，東協國家「非常希望不必選邊站」，但有朝一日，「我們可能必須選擇其中一邊」，希望這不會很快發生。

南海及台灣海峽 美中衝突熱點

紐約時報十四日亦報導，美中在包括南海及台灣海峽在內的太平洋軍事角力，將成為兩國最大的衝突熱點。哈佛大學教授艾立森（Graham Allison）指出，中國在南海填海造島，多數人原以為扭轉局勢為時已晚，孰料川普政府如今要在各方面猛烈反擊，包括在南海、甚至台灣問題上。華府智庫戰略暨國際研究中心（CSIS）學者葛萊儀也說，美國國務卿龐皮歐九日在記者會上，當著中方代表的面，提到「民主台灣」，這勢必會激怒中方，預料美中私下談到台灣時，中方的說法會「更為尖銳」。

針對彭斯十三日要求中國從根本改變行為，以免美國發動冷戰，並換取美方在阿根廷「二十國集團」峰會期間就美中貿易戰達成協議敞開大門，中國外交部十五日聲稱，中美經貿合作的本質是互利共贏，因此「中方不欠誰、不求誰、更不怕誰」。

U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue  Media Note  DoS  20181109

On November 9, 2018, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Central Commission of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe for the second U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue.  The two sides had candid and in-depth conversations about key diplomatic and security issues.  They reaffirmed that the U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue could be a constructive platform that produces meaningful results.

U.S.-China Relations:  The United States highlighted President Trump’s vision for a constructive, results-oriented U.S.-China relationship based on fairness and reciprocity.  Both sides committed to coordinate on resolving differences and cooperate on common goals.  Both sides will be preparing for the success of the planned meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi at the G20 summit in Argentina.

Strategic Security and Mil-Mil Relations:  The United States and China recognized that the U.S.-China military-to-military relationship could be a stabilizing factor for the overall bilateral relationship, and committed to a productive mil-mil relationship.  The two sides reaffirmed the importance of improving communication mechanisms to reduce the risk of misunderstanding between the two nations’ militaries.  Both countries seek to maintain communication on implementing existing Confidence Building Measures and developing a military-to-military Crisis Deconfliction and Communication Framework.  The two sides decided to deepen engagement to advance their shared commitment to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.  The United States and China committed to convene consultations on cyber and space security, and deepen communication on nuclear and strategic issues.

North Korea:  Both sides emphasized their continued commitment to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as committed to by President Trump and Chairman Kim.  The United States and China committed to continue coordination and to fully, strictly implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Regional Security:  Both sides acknowledged their mutual interest in Afghanistan’s stability, committed to work together on a political settlement to end the conflict, and supported an Afghan-led peace process with direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.  The United States raised the threat posed to regional stability by Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, support for terrorist organizations, and other malign behavior.  Both sides intend to continue consultations on topics related to Iran.

South China Sea:  The two sides committed to support peace and stability in the South China Sea, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea in accordance with international law.  Both sides committed to ensure air and maritime safety, and manage risks in a constructive manner.  The United States discussed the importance of all military, law enforcement, and civilian vessels and aircraft operating in a safe and professional manner in accordance with international law.  The United States called on China to withdraw its missile systems from disputed features in the Spratly Islands, and reaffirmed that all countries should avoid addressing disputes through coercion or intimidation.  The United States remains committed to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.

Taiwan:  The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the U.S. One China policy, based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the three joint communiques, and called on China to restore cross-Strait stability and respect Taiwan’s international space.  The United States opposes unilateral actions by any party aimed at altering the status quo, including any resort to force or coercion.

Xinjiang:  The United States raised concerns about China’s lack of adherence to its international obligations and commitments on human rights and religious freedom.  China’s campaign of repression in Xinjiang undermines human rights and regional security.

U.S. Institutions and Citizens:  The United States urged China to respect the autonomy of U.S. academic, political, media, and other institutions.  The United States also reiterated the importance of fair and transparent treatment of U.S. citizens in China, including by raising concerns about China’s use of exit bans.

Counternarcotics:  Both sides discussed their plans to enhance cooperation in combating drugs.  The U.S. side stressed the importance of China controlling all types of fentanyl.