Japan, U.S., Philippines to step up maritime security ties

China ranks second highest in military spending after the United States and is rapidly modernising its forces

An American diplomat in Tokyo on September 6 criticised China's “increasingly hostile maritime actions” as a threat to the safety of waterways in the resource-rich Indo-Pacific, as the United States seeks to strengthen security cooperation with allies Japan and the Philippines.

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Raymond Greene said disregard for international law and heavy-handed actions by Beijing are aimed at increasing its control over the region.

“Specifically, the increasingly hostile maritime actions by the People’s Republic of China threaten the safety of our waterways,” he said at a news conference ahead of a meeting of officials from the three countries.

”No one nation should be able to dominate Indo-Pacific waters through coercion and outright intimidation," he said. "Might does not make right and we do not shy away from calling out Beijing’s provocative actions.”

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He said China's actions included a militarisation of the East and South China Seas, harassment of foreign fishing and other vessels, and depletion of maritime resources and the environment.

China ranks second highest in military spending after the United States and is rapidly modernising its forces. It says its military is purely for defense and to protect its sovereign rights.