Lewis VIENTIANE, July 27 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized Beijing's "escalating and unlawful actions" in the South China Sea at a summit on Saturday, while his Russian counterpart said Washington had stoked fears with its plan for a nuclear deterrent with ally Seoul off the Korean Peninsula.
Blinken criticizes Beijing's 'illegal actions' at sea | REUTERS
Blinken specifically singled out China for its Coast Guard's hostile actions against U.S. ally the Philippines in the South China Sea.
But he also praised the two countries for their diplomacy after Manila earlier on Saturday completed a supply mission to troops at a disputed shoal without China blocking them.
Blinken attended the security-focused ASEAN Regional Forum, along with diplomats from major powers including Russia, India, China, Australia, Japan and the EU. The forum discussed conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, North Korea's nuclear ambitions and tensions in the South China Sea.
