Blinken Condemns China's Actions While Urging Peace in South China Sea

At an ASEAN summit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China's aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea and praised improved diplomatic efforts between China and the Philippines. Blinken held discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, addressing Taiwan and military ties, while criticizing Russia's destabilizing actions on the Korean peninsula.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized Beijing's 'escalating and unlawful actions' in the South China Sea at a summit on Saturday. His Russian counterpart claimed Washington is stoking regional tension with its nuclear deterrence plans for Korea. Blinken highlighted China's coast guard's hostilities against the Philippines, a U.S. ally.

However, Blinken appreciated the peaceful resupply mission to Philippine troops at a disputed shoal earlier that day, noting it was a diplomatic effort. The ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos, attended by major power diplomats, also covered conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, North Korea's nuclear ambitions, and South China Sea tensions.

Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed Taiwan and military ties, with Blinken warning of further U.S. actions against Chinese firms supporting Russia. While Blinken lauded progress, Wang criticized Washington's 'containment and suppression' of Beijing. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov decried U.S. nuclear assets in Korea as exacerbating regional insecurity.