South China Sea
Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy, May 21, 2015. U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters

The United States will confront China if it continues to stoke tensions in the disputed South China Sea region, the head of the U.S. Pacific fleet said Wednesday. Admiral Harry Harris also reassured allies Washington would not allow the contested territory to be controlled unilaterally.

In a speech at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Harris said China continues to behave in an “aggressive” manner in the South China Sea.

“We will not allow a shared domain to be closed down unilaterally no matter how many bases are built on artificial features in the South China Sea,” Harris said. “We will cooperate when we can but we will be ready to confront when we must.”

China has laid claims to almost all of South China Sea, through where about $5 trillion worth of maritime trade sails every year. It has also reportedly been building runways and ports on islands in the contested waters to assert its claim over the region. Beijing has consistently defended its actions, saying it does not intend to start a conflict and that its operations will add to the safety of the region.

Following this, the U.S. carried out a series of freedom-of-navigation operations in the recent months, angering China which has blamed Washington of militarizing the disputed region.

“The U.S. fought its first war following our independence to ensure freedom of navigation,” Harris said during Wednesday’s speech. “This is an enduring principle and one of the reasons our forces stand ready to fight tonight.”

Harris also said the Pentagon will deploy F-22 Raptors as part of stepping up its presence in the South China Sea. The F-22 Raptors are considered the most sophisticated fighter jets currently in use by the U.S. military.

“My point is that you can count on America now and into the future,” Harris said. “I say that confidently because it’s in our national interest to continue our engagement in this vital region as we support the rules-based international order.”

Apart from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims over disputed territory in the region.

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