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AFP
2010-07-21

BEIJING — China on Wednesday expressed concern over plans by the United States and South Korea to conduct a major naval exercise from July 25, saying it could raise tensions in the region.

"We express concern over the relevant activities," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement, echoing statements Beijing has made for weeks in the run-up to the drill, which will run for four days.

"We urge all sides to maintain a cool head and exercise restraint, and not do anything that aggravates regional tensions."

The United States and South Korea will launch a major military exercise on Sunday in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) as a warning to North Korea over the sinking of a South Korean ship, the two countries' defence chiefs said Tuesday.

The drill is the first in a series designed "to send a clear message to North Korea that its aggressive behaviour must stop", US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Seoul's defence minister Kim Tae-Young said in a joint statement.

South Korea, the United States and other nations -- citing findings of a multinational investigation -- have accused the North of sending a submarine to torpedo the Cheonan warship near the tense Yellow Sea border in March.

China, which is North Korea's closest ally and most important source of economic and other aid, has refused to criticise its neighbour over the ship sinking and has repeatedly warned Washington and Seoul against the exercises.

"We resolutely oppose foreign military ships and planes coming to the Yellow Sea and other waters near China to engage in activities that affect China's security interests," Qin said in the statement, posted on his ministry's website.

"We will continue to monitor developments."

This month's drill was relocated from the Yellow Sea separating China and the Korean peninsula following Beijing's repeated protests.

But Seoul and Washington said future drills would be held in both the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and the Yellow Sea.

The North denies involvement in the sinking of the Cheonan, which claimed 46 lives, and says any retaliation could spark war.

The US-led United Nations Command said the July 25-28 drill would involve about 20 ships including the 97,000-tonne aircraft carrier USS George Washington and some 200 fixed-wing aircraft.