In July 2022, China blasted a top US Navy official after he criticised Beijing’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, saying it’s America’s military deployments in the disputed waters — which it called “navigation bullying” — that could spark confrontations.
US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, during a visit to the Philippines, said the US military focus in the disputed South China Sea would never slacken and, in fact, has intensified despite the war in Ukraine.
US naval forces including the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold, pictured, recently held exercises in the Philippines Sea.
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But Chinese officials said the South China Sea was not a “hunting ground” for countries outside the region.
“The South China Sea is not a ‘hunting ground’ for countries outside the region, still less should it be a ‘wrestling ground’ for big powers,” a Chinese statement said.
