State Department condemns new Chinese claim to disputed South China Sea shoal as 'destabilizing'

The State Department has called new Chinese government controls over a disputed South China Sea reef a “destabilizing activity.” The US also stated that Beijing’s claims of protecting a nature reserve there are questionable. This action comes as the State Department pushes back against China’s broad maritime claims in the region.

• The State Department described new Chinese government controls over a disputed South China Sea reef as a “destabilizing activity.”
• The US questioned China’s legal claims that it is protecting a nature reserve at the reef.
• The State Department is pushing back against China’s expansive regional maritime claims.