China is growing assertiveness in South China Sea

SYDNEY: China is behaving like a “bully” with its militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, Republican US Senator John McCain said on Tuesday, activity Washington must confront with its allies to find a peaceful solution.

In a speech in Sydney, McCain said China was asserting itself globally, best illustrated by militarising artificial islands in the South China Sea, a claim repeatedly rejected by Beijing.

“I think it is very clear that the Chinese by filling in these islands are militarising them and that is in violation of international law,” the Arizona senator said. — Reuters