China on Thursday slammed a U.S. diplomat's critical remarks about the impasse with India's bid for membership in the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) as well as the South China Sea dispute. China's Foreign Ministry described the comments as utterly "irresponsible" and an attempt to create a wedge between the Beijing and New Delhi.

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U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, who is currently in India, criticized China for its unreasonable stance on New Delhi's NSG membership.

"We understand that in a consensus-based organization, one country can break consensus. But in order to do so, it must be (held) accountable, not isolated," Shannon said at a meeting at the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi.

Shannon was apparently referring to China, which singlehandedly thwarted India's NSG membership bid at a plenary meeting in South Korea last week. China was leading the opponent of India's membership in the NSG. About six other countries also had a similar stance.

This is the first time that a top US diplomat has commented on India's NSG blockade. Shannon's comment on China's role in the South China Sea dispute was even more provocative, as he described Beijing's recent assertive actions in the disputed maritime territory as "sheer madness."

"What China is doing in the South China Sea region is madness. Building airstrips and landing aircraft on that. As far as their navy is concerned, all they are doing is building targets. Our own view is that China can keep the sea-lanes open through its navy in the region. It is our hope that China will be able to follow a rule-based international order," Shannon said.

In response, China condemned U.S. Diplomats statements and categorically defended its stance on the NSG and South China Sea.         

On Shannon's NSG remark, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei described the statement as factually incorrect, adding that U.S. diplomat did not show any "regards for facts."    

"In the plenary meeting in Seoul (held last week), India's accession was not on the agenda," Hong said.

Hong clarified that participants at the plenary meeting last week only discussed "technical, political and legal" issues pertaining to nations that are yet to sign the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In response to Shannon's comment on the South China Sea, Hong said that Chinese government is strongly dissatisfied.   

Hong stressed that China would continue to maintain its sovereignty and maritime rights in disputed maritime region. He added that Chinese government would continue to press for dialogue and negotiation to resolve the maritime dispute.

Hong accused Shannon of attempting to create a wedge between claimant countries by making irresponsible statements. He urged the U.S. to play a more constructive role in resolving the maritime dispute.                           

China is claiming sovereignty over a large portion of the South China Sea. However, China's claim is being challenged by several neighboring countries such as Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Most of the other claimants nations are relying on the U.S. for diplomatic and military support to counteract China's growing influence in the disputed territory.

Tagschina, China and US, South China Sea, NSG