China accuses US of sowing discord in South China Sea

In this photo provided by US Navy, Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class James Benzel, from Louisville, Ohio, assigned to the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron, signals an MH-60R Sea Hawk to disengage its rotors on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan as USS Mustin steams alongside in South China Sea, on July 9, 2020. - AP

BEIJING (AP): China on Tuesday (July 14) described a US rejection of its maritime claims in the South China Sea as completely unjustified and accused the US of attempting to sow discord between China and the Southeast Asian countries with which it has territorial disputes.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said that a statement issued by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deliberately distorts the facts and disregards the efforts of China and the others to achieve peace and stability in the South China Sea.