Mattis praises, criticizes China on NKorea and South China Sea

SINGAPORE: Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Saturday that North Korea posed a global threat and praised China's efforts to influence Pyongyang, while also criticising Beijing over its continued "militarisation" of the South China Sea.

President Donald Trump -- who frequently denounced China on the campaign trail -- has turned to Beijing to help rein in North Korea's weapons programme, prompting concerns among Asian allies that America might go easy on the South China Sea issue.