China blasts US over military ‘muscle’ in South China Sea

BEIJING: Beijing hit back Friday at US President Barack Obama’s criticism of Chinese construction in the disputed South China Sea, arguing that it is Washington that has greater military “muscle”. The Chinese foreign ministry’s retort came a day after Obama warned that Beijing was “using its sheer size and muscle to force countries into subordinate positions”, amid reports of controversial Chinese land reclamation efforts.

talks with President Thein Sein and military leaders on Friday to discuss a general election, a controversial constitution and a ceasefire with ethnic minority rebels, a participant said. Thein Sein’s government has launched a series of political and economic reforms since taking power in 2011, after nearly 50 years of military rule, but many people feel the reform process has stalled, with the military still holding extensive power.