Chinese senior military official dismisses US defence secretary’s remarks on South China Sea militarisation

A Chinese senior military official has rejected criticism made by US Secretary of Defence James Mattis that China is militarising the South China Sea. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Mattis said China’s continuous “militarisation” of the South China Sea would lead to potential penalties. At the 17th Asia Security Summit on Sunday, Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, Director of Security Cooperation Centre of China’s Central Military Commission, responded to Mattis’ remarks, calling them “ridiculous”.