U.S. Military Commander Says China Using The Coronavirus Pandemic As A Cover To Push Its Territorial Claims

Reuters: U.S. military commander says China pushing territorial claims under cover of coronavirus

TOKYO (Reuters) - China is using the coronavirus as a cover to push territorial claims in the South China Sea through a surge in naval activity meant to intimidate other countries that claim the waters, the commander of U.S. Forces in Japan said on Friday.

There has been a surge of activity by China in the South China Sea with navy ships, coast guard vessels and a naval militia of fishing boats in harassing vessels in waters claimed by Beijing, said Lieutenant General Kevin Schneider.

“Through the course of the COVID crisis we saw a surge of maritime activity,” he told Reuters in a phone interview. He said Beijing had also increased its activity in the East China Sea, where it has a territorial dispute with Japan.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. is not the only one making these claims .... Indonesia joins neighbors in protesting Beijing’s claims in South China Sea (Jakarta Post).