WEB DESK
US Defence Secretary, James Mattis warned that Washington will not accept China’s militarisation of man-made islands in the South China Sea. Speaking at a security conference in Singapore yesterday, he said such moves undermined regional stability.
Mr. Mattis said Washington oppose countries militarising artificial islands and enforcing excessive maritime claims. He said, US cannot and will not accept unilateral, coercive changes to the status quo.
China’s territorial claims in the resource-rich South China Sea are contested by several nations.President Donald Trump and other senior US officials have repeatedly stated that America would protect its interests in the South China Sea, a key shipping route.
Defence Secretary’s comments came shortly after the UN Security Council had expanded targeted sanctions against North Korea in response to a series of missile tests conducted by Pyongyang this year.
The 15-member council voted unanimously to back the sanctions after weeks of negotiations between the US and China.