South China Sea activities a threat: US aide

“In the South China Sea, Chinese activity is destabilising and could pose a threat to commercial trade routes,” General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said before the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a top American think-tank. 

“While our exercise of freedom of navigation provides some assurance to our allies and partners, it hasn’t stopped the Chinese from developing military capabilities in the South China Sea, to include on territories where there is a contested claim of sovereignty,” Dunford said. He also said the US is now confronted with simultaneous challenges from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and violent extremism. 

“Despite declining population, shrinking economy, Russia has made a significant investment in military capabilities,” he said. Saying the dreaded ISIS is a transregional threat, he said the US was looking for an opportunity to address the wider challenge. 

“While the fight against ISIL dominates the headlines, we also continue to face an extremist challenge in the homeland and our interest in South Asia,” he said.