BANGKOK, Nov 18 (Reuters) - China, during defense talks in
Bangkok on Monday, called on the U.S. military to stop flexing
its muscles in the South China Sea and to avoid adding "new
uncertainties" over Taiwan, underscoring tensions between the
world's two largest economies.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe called on U.S. Defense
Secretary Mark Esper to "stop flexing muscles in the South China
Sea and to not provoke and escalate tensions in the South China
Sea," said Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian.
The United States did not immediately respond, but has
accused China of militarizing the South China Sea. Esper said on
Sunday Beijing was "increasingly resorting to coercion and
intimidation to advance its strategic objectives" in the region.