The US is prepared to address China’s “increasing level of aggressiveness” in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea after Beijing conducted two “unsafe” intercepts in recent days, a senior official said on Monday.
The warning from John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson, underscores increasing US alarm over dangerous interactions between US and Chinese forces in international air and sea lanes. It comes as Beijing has rebuffed American attempts to re-establish military communications between the countries.
Kirby said the intercepts were “part and parcel” of an “increasing level of aggressiveness” by China’s People’s Liberation Army, particularly in the area around the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.