China's activities in territory it claims in the South China Sea are meant to intimidate other nations in the region, the commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet said Friday.
Adm. John Aquilino said China's actions, including constructing islands in the disputed waters, are intended to project its military capacity.
He told journalists at a briefing in the Thai capital Bangkok that in addition to installing anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile systems and radar jamming equipment, China has recently landed bombers on runways on some of the man-made islands it built atop coral reefs and lagoons that dot one of the world's busiest waterways.
He said it was clear that such installations absolutely have military purpose in order to present an optic to partners and nations in the region that show military strength and ultimately coerce and bully the nations in the region."
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