China urges US to ‘stop flexing muscle’ in South China Sea

Bangkok, November 18

China has urged the US military to “stop flexing muscle” in the disputed South China Sea.

A spokesman for the Chinese ministry of defence told reporters in Bangkok that Beijing wanted the US to halt what he called “provocations” in the South China Sea.

The spokesman, Col Wu Qian, spoke to reporters on Monday after the Chinese minister of defence, Gen Wei Fenghe, met US Defence Minister Mark Esper on the margins of an Asia defence officials’ conference.

In brief remarks afterward, Esper said they made progress and agreed to hold frequent follow-up talks. AP