China’s sea claim problematic – US official

BEIJING: China’s claim to almost the whole of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is “problematic” and the Asian power’s actions have raised tensions, a US official said on Tuesday on the eve of high-stakes talks.

Beijing also disputes islands with Japan—a US security ally that Washington is treaty-bound to defend if attacked—and officials traveling with Secretary of State John Kerry said they had “heightened concerns” about “the readiness of claimants to utilize military, paramilitary, coast guard forces in furtherance of their claims.”