Interview: U.S. provocative act in South China Sea could jeopardize stability: experts

A Cambodian government official and scholars on Tuesday criticized the United States for sending a warship near Chinese islands in the South China Sea, saying the move would stir regional tensions.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers of Cambodia, said the U.S. is flexing its muscles and creating more tension in the area.

"The U.S. is not an involved party in this issue, so it should distance itself from this matter," he told Xinhua.

"We urge all parties concerned to exercise the utmost constraint to avoid any confrontation."

Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies, said the U.S. is testing China's behavior and reaction to the move.

"The U.S. aims to challenge and delegitimize China's claims in the South China Sea, particularly China's artificial island construction," he told Xinhua.

Vannarith, who is also a lecturer of Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Leeds in Britain, said, "the U.S. move will stir regional security tension and provoke military confrontation between the two major powers."

Joseph Matthews, director of the International Cooperation Department at the Phnom Penh-based Asia Euro University, said the U.S. is using intimidation, directly violating Chinese maritime territorial integrity, and infringing on the United Nations maritime code of sovereignty.

"The U.S. decision to enter the South China Sea waters is to show-off of its naval power, which is absolutely unnecessary and against the regional and international economic, social and political interests," he said.

"This move could destabilize the whole region and have a very negative impact on the regional economy."

He dubbed the U.S. provocative action "a dangerous move" that could intensify an already volatile situation in the region.

The scholar said ASEAN should take a unanimous stance against this U.S. action and condemn it because the U.S. is interfering in regional affairs.

"The South China Sea or the East China Sea issues are Asian and ASEAN issues, and not North America or South America territorial disputes," Joseph said.

"If the regional countries have any disputes whether they are maritime or land-related, they should be negotiated bilaterally without interference from a third party." Enditem