The top U.S. military commander in the Indo-Pacific warned Monday that the United States will not allow China to dominate the region, accusing Beijing of using legal claims to justify intimidation and coercion.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Pacific Command, delivered the remarks via video at a regional security conference in Malaysia, stating that some countries were making ‘false claims of legitimacy’ to pressure neighbors and undermine stability. Paparo drew a distinction between ‘rule of law’ as a tool for order and ‘rule by law’ as a weapon of power, calling it ‘the defining fault line of our time.’
Tensions in the South China Sea remain high, where China’s expansive maritime claims overlap with those of several Southeast Asian nations. The Philippines has been at the center of repeated confrontations with China, particularly around the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese and Philippine vessels have faced off in multiple incidents.
Manila has accused Beijing of dangerous maneuvers, water cannon attacks, and attempts to block Philippine resupply missions. China has rejected these accusations, maintaining its territorial claims in the disputed waterway. The United States has stated it does not take sides in sovereignty disputes but supports freedom of navigation, international law, and the rights of states to operate in accordance with their claims.
Paparo emphasized that freedom of the seas, maritime security, and open commerce are critical to regional stability. He added that peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereignty are essential to preserving the Indo-Pacific order.
U.S. stance on deterrence and regional stability
Paparo said the United States is ‘clear-eyed about the complex security environment’ in the Indo-Pacific and that its posture and intent are well defined. He stated that the U.S. is deterring China through strength, not confrontation, and reiterated that no nation will be allowed to dominate the region.
The admiral’s comments follow a series of high-profile incidents in the South China Sea, including collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels and accusations of unsafe maneuvers by Chinese coast guard ships. The U.S. has previously reaffirmed its commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, which it says extends to attacks on Philippine vessels, aircraft, and armed forces anywhere in the Pacific.
China’s response and regional reactions
China has consistently defended its actions in the South China Sea, asserting that its claims are based on historical rights and international law. Beijing has accused the U.S. of ‘stoking tensions’ and ‘interfering in regional affairs’ under the guise of freedom of navigation operations.
Southeast Asian nations have expressed mixed reactions to the rising tensions. Some countries, including Vietnam and Malaysia, have called for diplomatic solutions and upholding international law, while others have sought to balance relations with both the U.S. and China. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has repeatedly urged ‘self-restraint’ and ‘peaceful resolution of disputes’ in the region.
Background: The South China Sea dispute
The South China Sea is one of the world’s most contested maritime regions, with overlapping claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China’s ‘Nine-Dash Line’ claim, which covers about 90% of the sea, has been rejected by an international tribunal in 2016, which ruled in favor of the Philippines. Despite this, China continues to assert its claims through military presence, coast guard patrols, and artificial island-building.
The U.S. has conducted freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the region to challenge China’s excessive maritime claims, drawing criticism from Beijing. Meanwhile, China has accused the U.S. of ‘militarizing the region’ and ‘undermining regional stability.’
What’s next?
Analysts suggest that tensions in the South China Sea are likely to persist, with both the U.S. and China continuing to assert their positions. The upcoming ASEAN summits and bilateral diplomatic engagements may provide opportunities for dialogue, though deep divisions remain over how to manage the dispute.
For now, Paparo’s warning underscores the growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, where maritime security, economic interests, and geopolitical influence are increasingly intertwined.