Obama accuses China of flexing muscle in disputes with neighbours

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, with the Washington Monument in the background April 27, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama accused China on Tuesday of "flexing its muscles" to advance its maritime claims against Asian neighbours and assured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of the U.S. commitment to defend Japanese territory, including tiny islands in dispute with Beijing.

Speaking at a joint news conference in the White House Rose Garden, Obama said a strong U.S.-Japan alliance should not be seen as a provocation to China, but he sought to put to rest any Japanese doubts on whether Washington would stand by Tokyo in a possible confrontation with Beijing.