Austin in Singapore - US says China's sea claims have 'no basis' in international law

US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin along with Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, back, review an honor guard at the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Singapore. Austin decried the actions of Myanmar's military rulers as unacceptable on Tuesday, while urging a regional bloc to keep demanding an end to violence. Austin also applauded the Association of Southeast Asian nations for its efforts on the issue, which included forging a consensus with Myanmar’s military leader in April. - AP

SINGAPORE, July 27 (AFP): Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea have "no basis in international law", taking aim at China's growing assertiveness in the hotly contested waters.

Austin's broadside came at the start of his first trip to South-East Asia as US defence secretary, as he seeks to rally allies in the region as a bulwark to China.