Some countries appear to view freedom of the seas as “up for grabs” in the South China Sea, imposing superfluous warnings and restrictions that threaten stability, a US Navy commander said on Tuesday in comments apparently aimed at China. Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, said in a strongly worded address in Australia the United States remained “as committed as ever” to protect freedom of navigation through the region. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims.

US cautions on 'egregious' rules in disputed sea. (2015, October 7). BusinessWorld, p. S1/8.