expanding its own activities around the Indo-Pacific to counter sweeping territorial claims from China, including regularly sailing through and flying over the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.READ MORE: US Army under pressure to make more ammo for Ukraine, potential conflict with China"We are committed to ensuring that every country can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," he said at the forum hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. "And every country, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities."U.S.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon May 25, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Austin and Army Gen.
Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed members of the press following an online session Austin noted that the U.S.
had provided millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the height of the pandemic and is regularly involved in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts in the region.