China embassies accuse Trump aide Robert O’Brien of causing chaos in Asia
- Diplomats in Hanoi and Manila say US national security adviser’s remarks to regional leaders ‘full of cold war mentality’
- He is accused of stirring up trouble and provoking a rift between neighbours over South China Sea and Mekong River
Chinese diplomatic corps in Vietnam and the Philippines have crossed swords with the US national security adviser over the two countries’ activities in Southeast Asia, in the latest escalation of tensions as the Trump administration makes a last gasp push for its tough agenda to counter China.
In a statement published early on Tuesday morning, the Chinese embassy in Manila accused US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien of “stirring up trouble in the South China Sea” and “provoking a rift between China and the Philippines”.
“The US is not a party to the South China Sea dispute … but has been openly interfering in the South China Sea issues under the name of safeguarding stability … and ‘freedom of navigation’,” according to a Hanoi embassy statement issued late on Monday night. “Its purpose is never to help regional countries to resolve dispute but to maintain its hegemony in the region.”
The two statements came as O’Brien wrapped up his whirlwind visit to Vietnam, followed by the Philippines, where he assured his hosts of Washington’s support in their maritime disputes over Beijing’s “incredibly aggressive” actions in the South China Sea.
During his meetings with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Binh Minh, O’Brien urged them to curb illegal re-routing of Chinese exports and said the US may be able to provide financing to help with purchases of American helicopters.
In his visit to Manila on Monday, O’Brien also confirmed the delivery of US$18 million worth of missiles pledged by President Donald Trump in April, according to the Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin.
