The US lays it out for China

Pretty strong words, if you can believe them:

The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific has called on China to give up any plans to develop what he calls “high-end military options,” and says the United States has no intention of abandoning its position as the leading military power in Asia.

I can’t believe that the US made such a statement - it’s uncharacteristically bold and definitive. I doubt we can hold such a strong line through the upcoming administrations, though. Especially with the aggressive buildup & modernization of China’ military.

Speaking of the buildup, why exactly are the Chinese spending so much so fast to modernize their forces?

Admiral Keating says senior Chinese military officers have told him they only plan to defend what is theirs, and he says that is something the United States can understand.

He forgot to ask one important question: what do the Chinese consider “theirs?”