His speech was broadcast on the Council's Twitter.
According to him, China has declared the South China Sea only its own territorial waters and is conducting military exercises there.
“The United States always reserves the right to freedom of navigation and aviation ... The United States is not going to abandon its long-standing principle that the world's sea routes and international waters should be free for navigation. This also applies to outer space and airspace, ”said O'Brien.
At the same time, he noted that China continues to act "assertive and aggressive" in this matter.
Earlier, the Pentagon expressed concern over China's military exercises in the South China Sea.
China, in turn, said that an American plane had invaded PRC airspace during military exercises.