China urges US to “stop flexing muscles” in South China Sea

China on Monday urged U.S. military to “stop flexing muscles” in disputed South China Sea, a point of persistent friction in a relationship both sides said was generally improving. A spokesman for Chinese ministry of defense, Col. Wu Qian, told reporters in Bangkok that South China Sea was among numerous issues discussed earlier in day when U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper held his first face-to-face meeting with Chinese defense minister, Gen. Wei Fenghe. y met for more than half an hour on margins of a broer Asia defense officials’ conference.

“We agreed to keep talking and engaging frequently,” Esper told reporters afterward in a brief exchange. “We continue to make progress on any number of issues.” South China Sea for years has been a major point of contention between Beijing and Washington. China claims South China Sea as its sovereign territory, but those claims overlap with those of or Asian governments. United States has territorial stake but has periodically sailed Navy ships through areas of sea that China considers off-limits.

Wu, defense ministry spokesman, told a news conference that Esper and Wei h a “very positive and constructive” meeting and “agreed in many areas.” But he was clear that Beijing is irritated at U.S. Navy’s presence in South China Sea. Wu said Wei reaffirmed China’s commitment to safeguarding “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests” in South China Sea.

“ Chinese side also urges U.S. side to stop flexing muscles in South China Sea and do t provoke and escalate tensions in South China Sea,” he said through a Chinese interpreter. Asked by a reporter to be more specific about Chinese objections, Wu said U.S. should “stop intervening in South China Sea and stop military provocations.” Asked about China’s view on civil unrest in Hong Kong, Wu said, “Ending violence and restoring order is most pressing task we have in Hong Kong.”