International tribunal invalidated the legal basis of Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Washington, United States:
A former commander of US forces in the Pacific says the US should be willing to use military force to oppose Chinese aggression at a disputed reef off the coast of the Philippines.
Dennis Blair has made the recommendation to a Senate panel on Wednesday, a day after an international tribunal invalidated the legal basis of Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Blair says the objective is not to pick a fight with China at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, but to set a limit on its military coercion.
The Philippines is a US ally but their treaty is ambiguous about whether the US would come to its defense in disputed territory.
A 2012 standoff at Scarborough Shoal between China and the Philippines prompted Manila to launch the arbitration case.
Dennis Blair has made the recommendation to a Senate panel on Wednesday, a day after an international tribunal invalidated the legal basis of Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Blair says the objective is not to pick a fight with China at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, but to set a limit on its military coercion.
The Philippines is a US ally but their treaty is ambiguous about whether the US would come to its defense in disputed territory.
A 2012 standoff at Scarborough Shoal between China and the Philippines prompted Manila to launch the arbitration case.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
