James Mattis accuses China of “intimidation and coercion” in the Indo-Pacific and said the U. S. has no plans to abandon its role in the region.
James Mattis accused China of “intimidation and coercion” in the Indo-Pacific and said the U. S. has no plans to abandon its role in the region.
The U. S. Defense secretary made the remarks during a speech to Asian leadership Saturday in Singapore, CNN and other news outlets reported.
Mattis specifically called out Beijing’s militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea, home to some of the world’s busiest cargo lanes.
“We are aware China will face an array of challenges and opportunities in coming years, we are prepared to support China’s choices if they promote long-term peace and prosperity for all in this dynamic region,” Mattis said, according to the reports.
“Yet China’s policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promotes. It calls into question China’s broader goals,” he said.
The Mattis stance comes as the U. S. may need China to play a continuing pivotal role in any diplomatic changes with North Korea.
