Beijing Resents U.S. Involvement in the Long-disputed Area, Summons U.S. Official to Express ‘Dissatisfaction’
BEIJING—China summoned a U.S. diplomat to refute a State Department accusation that Beijing is hampering diplomatic efforts to defuse long-simmering tensions over the disputed South China Sea.
The Foreign Ministry said on its website late Saturday that it summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Beijing, Robert Wang, to present “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to a U.S. statement on Friday. On Friday, the U.S. said China’s recent decision to establish a military garrison in the South China Sea and elevate the administrative status of an island outpost in waters claimed by China, the Philippines and others risked further inflaming tension there.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing confirmed Mr. Wang met with Chinese officials on Saturday but declined to provide details.
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