US accuses Beijing of ‘provocative militarisation’ of South China Sea
US State Department adviser says China is pushing around smaller states with rival claims and limiting navigation in international waters
Brian Hook, a senior adviser to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, said on Tuesday that the issue of the South China Sea was raised at all diplomatic and security dialogues between China and the US.
Some analysts have suggested that the US administration’s attention towards the issue has been deflected by the North Korean nuclear weapons crisis.
Hook’s remarks came as China continues building work in the disputed waters, including installing high-frequency radar and other facilities that can be used for military purposes.
“China’s provocative militarisation of the South China Sea is one area where China is contesting international law. They are pushing around smaller states in ways that put a strain on the global system,” Hook said during a media telephone conference.