“China seems to be asserting itself more and more with respect to the kinds of territorial claims in islands like the Spratlys,” said Mr. Mullen, referring to the chain of islands in the South China Sea.
“They seem to be taking a much more aggressive approach,” in terms of economic and strategic interest, he added.
Mr. Mullen is curious “about where China is headed militarily,” which he said is something to be concerned about with respects to the new aggressive approach.
The comments come after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Vietnam to defend Vietnam’s claim to resource-rich islands in the South China Sea.
