US rejects China maritime claims in South China Sea, calls for ASEAN action on Myanmar

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States had "deep concerns" about the situation in Myanmar and urged the group to take action to end violence and restore democracy there.

Hanoi: The United States rejects China`s "unlawful" maritime claims in the South China Sea and stands with Southeast Asian countries facing Chinese "coercion", Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. China rejected Blinken`s comments, which he made in an address in a video conference with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), as irresponsible and aimed at provoking discord. Blinken also said the United States had "deep concerns" about the situation in Myanmar and urged the group to take action to end violence and restore democracy there.