The Pentagon said Thursday it was “concerned” about Chinese military exercises around a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, noting the maneuvers will “further destabilize” the region. China on Friday rejected the criticism by the US Defense Department and suggested that Washington was to blame for increased tensions in the region. Beijing announced last week it had scheduled five days of drills starting July 1 near the Paracel Islands, which are claimed by both Vietnam and China.

US criticizes China military drills in Paracels. (2020, July 4). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A9.