Washington will not be intimidated by China’s “challenges” in disputed areas in the South China Sea, a ranking US defense official said.
US Defense Assistant Secretary Randall Schriver said China’s military expansionism will not be a game changer.
“We’ve seen an increase in this kind of challenge from China, not only directed at us but others, and I think we need to be consistent and the Chinese need to understand that this kind of challenge will not result in a change of our behavior. We’ll not allow them to rewrite the rules of the road or change international law,” Schriver said.
Schriver’s strongly worded statement came after Beijing warned a US Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft while hovering above coral reefs in one of China’s converted garrison in the South China Sea, which has been installed with radar, power plants and runways designed for large military aircraft.
During the reconnaissance flight, members of the Chinese military told the US plane crew six times that they are inside Chinese territory, persuading them to leave.
China has practically invaded at least seven shoals and reefs in the contested Spratly Islands, converting four into artificial islands through massive reclamation activities.
“We will continue to operate in a consistent way. If the Chinese want to expand their control through this type of challenge, it has no impact or effect on how we operate,” Schriver said.”‹ “‹