“We are seeing obvious signs that China is using the pandemic and the vaccine as a way to promote itself to Southeast Asian countries that we are going to prioritise you,” said Mr Koh. During his virtual meeting with Pham Binh Minh, Vietnam’s deputy prime minister, Mr Wang accused the US of forcing countries to take sides with the aim to “stir up tension and turmoil.”President Xi also urged Lee Hsien Loong, the Singaporean prime minister, to avoid siding with the US, saying China would work with Singapore to “safeguard regional security.”The jostling for power between China and the US has left Southeast Asian nations struggling to balance their security and economic interests amid the growing risks of confrontation, say experts. "The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Lt. Anthony Junco, a spokesperson for the US Navy's Seventh Fleet told CNN.The US routinely sails through the Taiwan Strait but the Chinese military views the strategic waterway separating China from Taiwan as a priority area and often shadows US vessels that sail through the area.China routinely protests US Navy activities in the region, and often dispatches ships or aircraft to shadow the US vessels. US vs China: Beijing forces neighbours to pick sides over military build up in South China Sea Asian countries with stakes in the South China Sea have been left wary of choosing sides Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:06 AM August 04, 2020.

“The Trump administration has been often seen as erratic, unpredictable. Millions of people in the region depend on those resources for their livelihood," he added.China also appears to be using its military to send a message that it is capable of operating at longer distances for greater periods of to challenge its neighbors and the US. Man who stabbed young mother in face and neck changes plea to admit attempted murder While the US military recently ended its "continual bomber presence" on the Pacific island of Guam for the first time since 2004, the US Air Force has continued to dispatch bombers to the region.In recent weeks the US flew B-1 bombers from bases in the US to the region on three separate occasions, including an operation over the South China Sea and a deployment of four B-1 bombers and 200 personnel from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to Guam.Late last month the US Navy also challenged Chinese claims to the waters surrounding the Those challenges drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing who urged the US to focus on its coronavirus response and to cease such military operations. Jump to navigation Jump to search. China has constructed outposts on man-made islands in the disputed area, installing military facilities and missiles there as part of a bid to exert control over the strategic waterways according to US officials. World Navies Now. Comparison of US and Chinese Military Armed Forces. US vs China: The real Cold War. The US Congressional Research Service broke down China's 2.3 million member armed forces and shined a light on misconceptions from Western military analysts. In 5-8 years, China should have the largest commercial shipping fleet.

"We continue to execute a global Freedom of Navigation operations program in which US Navy ships safely and professionally challenge excessive maritime claims, including those in the South China Sea. The US says China's only operational aircraft carrier entered the South China Sea last week along with several other warships. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.Over the last few weeks US Navy ships and Air Force B-1 bombers have undertaken missions aimed at sending a very public message that the US military intends to maintain a presence in the region and reassure allies.It's also a top priority for the Pentagon to get the virus-stricken aircraft carrier The Pentagon accused China of exploiting the pandemic to gain military and economic advantages by expanding the areas in which it operates. They should pass Japan for number two in world shipping in 2021. China spent $250 billion on its military in 2018, an increase of 83% during the period from 2009 through 2018. Michael Kafka, a spokesperson for the US military's Indo-Pacific Command told CNN in a statement on Wednesday. However, China does have fortified islands and a lot of anti-ships missiles. Beirut explosions in pictures: Ancient city ripped apart "The US also says China has attempted to intimidate other nations in the region.In mid-April China deployed a survey vessel, the Haiyang Dizhi 8 alongside as many as 10 Coast Guard and maritime militia ships, as part of an apparent show of force in an area claimed by Malaysia and Beijing, according to two defense officials.The move was an apparent attempt to intimidate a Malaysian state-owned oil company that had deployed a Panamanian flagged drilling vessel, the West Capella, to survey for oil in the area.Utilizing a survey ship-led flotilla to harass South China Sea claimants "is a time tested" Chinese strategy, one official said, adding that China had used similar tactics against Vietnam.The US responded earlier this month by twice sailing warships near the drill ship, a show of force intended to signal to Beijing that the US Navy can challenge any Chinese attempts to seize resources in the area. "China urges the United States to focus on its own business with pandemic prevention and control, make more contributions to the global fight against the Covid-19, and immediately stop military operations that are detrimental to regional security, peace and stability," Senior Col. Li Huamin, spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said in a statement.Nobody is suggesting the US is headed towards conflict with China but Defense Secretary Mark Esper has continued to make blunting Beijing a priority.