SIMIC

The South China Sea has become a point in the testy relationship between China and the US, with the US rejecting what it calls unlawful territorial claims from China in resource-rich waters.

"Conflict in the South China Sea, or in any ocean, would have serious global consequences for security, and for commerce. When a state faces no consequences for ignoring these rules, it fuels greater impunity and instability everywhere," said Mr Blinken.

China claims much of the South China Sea overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.

"We have seen dangerous encounters between vessels at sea and provocative actions to advance unlawful maritime claims," said Mr Blinken.

China's deputy UN Ambassador Dai Bing accused the United States of "stirring up trouble out of nothing, arbitrarily sending advanced military vessels and aircraft into the South China Sea as provocations and publicly trying to drive a wedge into regional countries."

"This country itself has become the biggest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Mr Dai.