China told the United States not to interfere in a regional dispute over claims to the South China Sea, saying it would only complicate the matter.
Japan's NHK TV reported last week that the United States and southeast Asian countries may announce a joint statement on September 24 that obliquely presses China over its recent activities near disputed isles in the South China Sea.
China has been increasingly strident in asserting its territorial claims, especially maritime ones.
One, that kind of attitude is hardly a demonstration of their supposedly awesome "soft power."
And two, other countries--countries we like more--dispute your claim. So unless you are prepared to stay out of North and South "America" because our country's name is included in those continents, we'll "complicate" the South China Sea matter as we damn well please.
