The US rejected Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea and said "Chinese predatory world view" has no place in the 21st century, stepping up its clash with the communist nation.
"The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire. America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a major policy announcement.
The United States, he said, stands with the international community in the defence of