US accuses China of 'predatory economics', destabilising Indo-Pacific

Defence Secretary Mark Esper's comments reflect US determination to challenged Chinese maritime hegemony.

China is destabilising the Indo-Pacific, U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Sunday, charging Beijing with predatory economics, intellectual property theft and "weaponising the global commons".

The comments by Esper on his first overseas trip as U.S. defence secretary threaten to inflame already heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing as they wage an escalating trade war.

China's increasing assertiveness, especially in the energy-rich South China Sea, has raised concerns within the region and the United States is challenging Chinese maritime hegemony and seeking stronger ties with nations pushing back against Beijing.

"We firmly believe no one nation can or should dominate the Indo-Pacific