Interview: U.S. moves on South China Sea "naked interference" in region's internal affairs: experts

The manner in which the United States acts over the South China Sea disputes is nothing but a "naked interference" in the region's internal affairs, said the experts.

In interviews with Xinhua on Tuesday, they also raised a number of questions about the intention of the United States to deploy nuclear submarines, stealth fighters, large warships and a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for maneuvers in the area.

The U.S. not merely deploys weapons but also organizes joint military drills in the region, stirring up regional disorder to some extent, the experts noted.

"It's (the United States) not a country in the region nor a claimant party for maritime rights in the region. Despite that, it (the United States) is acting up more an more over the issue. I don't think that America should have an interest in the regional matter," Lieutenant General (retired) Mahbubur Rahman, also the former chief of army staff of the Bangladesh Army, told Xinhua.

"For regional peace, America should not poke its nose into the regional affairs," he said.

"I think what America is doing over the South China sea issue is just disturbing the region."

Rahman said the United states stirs up disputes in the region by sending military aircraft and ships to the area.

"America should refrain from its naked interference in the internal affairs of the South Asia and the Southeast Asia regions," he said.

He further added "I, being a Bangladeshi, would appreciate China, India and other countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia having more regional harmony. All the problems should be resolved through diplomatic channels."

Rahman said the United States is apparently instigating a new Cold War situation by hyping up an anti-China sentiment in the region.

"American supply of military hardware to Vietnam will unnecessarily create instability in the region and will instigate a cold war in the region. The U.S. should maintain the status quo of not supplying arms to Vietnam. Vietnam should refrain from importing arms from the United States."

Rahman said Hanoi should better engage itself in dialogue with China and maintain relations with its neighbors, instead of reaching out to a country outside the region.

Another expert requesting anonymity slammed at U.S. intrusion into waters near islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and even into China's territorial waters without permission from China.

According to the expert, China is exercising the legitimate right of a sovereign state according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Washington has no right to talk about maritime arbitration with China, he said.

Chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) Munshi Faiz Ahmad said the role the U.S. has played so far is somewhat "unfortunate and undesirable."

"The world is big enough already. We want big players to cooperate with each other. We, small countries like Bangladesh, can reap dividends from their cooperation."

"A confrontation will not benefit anybody," said Ahmed, who also served as ambassador of Bangladesh to China.

He stressed countries that have a direct stake in the South China Sea disputes may find a way without resorting help from the meddling hand of the United States. Endit