US demands halt to provocative South China Sea activities

Written by Matthew Lee, AP Diplomatic Writer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — In a direct challenge to China, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Thursday for all claimants to disputed territories in the South China Sea to immediately halt provocative activities that have ratcheted up tensions in some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. He also said the United States would not accept restrictions on navigation or overflights of the disputed territories

In remarks to East Asian foreign ministers in Malaysia, Kerry proposed a joint commitment from all involved to halting land reclamation projects and construction, which he said would lower tensions and risks for miscalculation. He said the step would also create space to finalize a binding code of conduct. His comments were directed primarily at China, which has been engaged in massive reclamation projects in areas contested by its smaller neighbors. China has rejected outside interference in the disputes.