US Defense Secretary James Matis accused China of 'intimidation and coercion' in the India-Pacific region, saying the United States did not give up its role in this region. Matis was speaking at Singapore's annual conference of Shanghai Officers, Contractors and Educators at Shanggrie-La Dialogue in Singapore. CNN
James Matis said, 'Do not make any mistake: America is in the Indian-Pacific Ocean. This is our priority area. '
Matis criticized Beijing for the militaryization of the artificial islands of the South China Sea. This area has some of the busiest waterways in the world.
At the beginning of the meeting, South China Sea became the main topic of the negotiations. China has been trying to establish its own domination in this region.
China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Brunei - each region has been claiming itself. Even though other countries have built military installations and artificial islands, no one is nearing Beijing and extremes. China's installations range from Hainan to southern and east hundreds of miles in the southern province of the country.
For the first time in May, the Chinese military has landed a nuclear capable bomber in its artificial islands.