US warns Beijing on South China Sea
Washington, June 1: The Pentagon has ratcheted up rhetoric about China's militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, even as President Donald Trump's administration presses Beijing for cooperation on North Korea, the media reported.
When asked by a reporter about the ability of the US to "blow apart" one of China's controversial man-made islands, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, said on Thursday: "I would just tell you that the US military has had a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands."
His comments come amid growing tension in highly contested region, as the US ramps up freedom of navigation operations in response to China's steady militarisation of its artificial islands, reports CNN.
The US Navy sailed two warships within 12 nautical miles of the disputed Paracel Islands last week, the first time it has used more than one vessel in the operations, which are meant to demonstrate the right of free passage in international waters.
On Wednesday, Admiral Harry Harris, outgoing head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said China was the US's "biggest long-term challenge" in the region.
The Chinese government has reacted furiously to the recent US statements, CNN reported.
At her regular press conference on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the US accusing China of militarising the region was "like a thief crying, 'Stop thief!'".
"Why does the US choose to sail every now and then close to Chinese South China Sea islands and reefs? What is the US trying to do?" she asked.
The US regularly conducts freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.
During the latest operation, the US said a Chinese ship operated in an unprofessional manner close to the American Navy ships.
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India beat SA by 135 runs in 4th T20I, clinch series 3-1
Johannesburg, Nov 15: India beat South Africa by 135 runs in the fourth and final T20 International to clinch series 3-1 here on Friday.
Opting to bat, India posted a massive 283 for 1, thanks to unbeaten centuries from Tilak Varma (120 not out off 47 balls) and Sanju Samson (109 not out off 56 balls), and then bowled South Africa out for 148 in 18.2 overs.
Tristan Stubbs top-scored for South Africa with 46 while David Miller contributed 36.
For India, pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/20 while Varun Chakravarthy (2/42) and Axar Patel (2/6) got two wickets each.
Hardik Pandya, Ramandeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi got a wicket each.
Brief Scores:
India: 283 for 1 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 109 not out, Tilak Varma 120 not out; Lutho Sipamla 1/58).
South Africa: 148 all out in 18.2 overs (Tristan Stubbs 46, David Miller 36; Arshdeep Singh 3/20).
