Admiral Harry Harris, commander of US forces in the Pacific, on Thursday described China as a destructive force in the region and urged countries in the region to build their capacity and work together to ensure free shipping.
Admiral Harris, known for his sharp views of China’s expansion in the South China Sea, made the remarks at a security conference sponsored by the Indian government held in the presence of Japan’s chief of staff and commander of the Indian navy.
The three countries, the United States, Japan and India, are increasingly concerned about China’s adoption of a military approach that supports its position in the region, leading them to rapprochement with Australia.
“I think China is a destructive force in the Pacific Ocean region,” Harris said. It is the reason for the lack of confidence we have spent in the hour that we are talking about, “in reference to the discussions at the conference.
China says there is no problem with free shipping in the South China Sea and opposes attempts to exploit it as a “pretext” to interfere in China’s sovereignty and security interests.
