U.S. Increased Sea Patrols to Send Message to China, Defense Secretary Says
- Esper urged nations to assert rights, get China on right path
- Beijing accused U.S. of creating ‘chaos’ in South China Sea
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The U.S. is conducting more patrols in the South China Sea to send a signal to China that it intends to maintain freedom in the area that’s crucial for global trade, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday.
Esper said at a media briefing in Manila the U.S. “rejects attempts by any nation to use coercion or intimidation to advance international interests at the expense of others.”