{"id":41907,"date":"2020-09-28T20:18:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-28T20:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/09\/28\/china-fires-back-at-us-over-environment-south-china-sea-militarization\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:57:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:57:28","slug":"china-fires-back-at-us-over-environment-south-china-sea-militarization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/09\/28\/china-fires-back-at-us-over-environment-south-china-sea-militarization\/","title":{"rendered":"China fires back at US over environment, South China Sea militarization"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIJING \u2014 U.S.-China friction flared again Monday, with Beijing firing back at accusations by Washington that it is a leading cause of global environmental damage and has reneged on its promise not to militarize the South China Sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A document issued last week by the State Department cited China\u2019s record on issues from greenhouse gas emissions to air and water and soil pollution, illegal logging and wildlife trafficking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile the Chinese people have suffered the worst environmental impacts of its actions, Beijing also threatens the global economy and global health by unsustainably exploiting natural resources and exporting its willful disregard for the environment,\u201d the document said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus followed that with a statement Sunday saying China has \u201cpursued a reckless and provocative militarization\u201d of disputed outposts in the South China Sea\u2019s Spratly Islands, adding that China\u2019s ruling Communist Party \u201cdoes not honor its words or commitments.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\t