By David Roman

(Bloomberg) — France will urge European Union nations to coordinate navy patrols to make sure a “regular and visible” presence within the disputed South China Sea, within the newest signal of worldwide push again to China’s expanded navy clout within the space.

The French authorities views the safety of freedom of the seas as vital from an financial standpoint and is anxious {that a} lack of such rights within the South China Sea could result in related issues within the Arctic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian informed attendees at a world protection discussion board, together with prime Chinese officers.

“If we want to contain the risk of conflict, we must defend this right, and defend it ourselves,” Le Drian stated on Sunday on the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore.

He stated to this point this 12 months, France’s navy has been deployed thrice by elements of the South China Sea. “Several times per year, French navy ships cross the waters of this region, and they’ll continue to do it.”

European nations have beforehand urged claimant states within the South China Sea — China, Taiwan and a few Southeast Asian nations — to resolve their disputes peacefully, whereas calling for the continuation of free navigation by one of many world’s busiest delivery lanes.

‘Be Present’

Still, there has not to this point been a significant increase within the navy presence from Europe. At the identical time, China is rising its navy and aerial patrols of the South China Sea and putting in protection infrastructure on some reclaimed reefs, amid a broader deal with long-range navy capability within the western Pacific.

“This is a message that France will continue to be present at international forums,” Le Drian stated. “It’s also a message that France will continue to act upon, by sailing its ships and flying its planes wherever international law will allow, and wherever operational needs request that we do so.”

Le Drian stated he regretted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had not made substantial progress towards a code of conduct with China on the South China Sea.

Minimizing Gaps

Speaking on the similar discussion board Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated China risked erecting a “Great Wall of self-isolation” in Asia over its actions, and referred to as China’s land reclamation within the space “unprecedented.”

A senior French official who traveled with the minister stated the nation will talk about plans with EU companions in coming weeks, with a deal with guaranteeing that EU navies commonly crisscross the waters.

With nations such because the U.Ok. and Netherlands sending ships to the world every so often, France is keen on higher coordinating patrols to make sure there isn’t any lengthy hole with out an EU presence within the space, in keeping with the official, who requested to not be recognized, citing coverage.

Another chance, the official stated, is smaller EU navies or these at present much less engaged within the space could ship ships that might be built-in in French process forces to attenuate provide difficulties.

© 2016 Bloomberg L.P