China has found itself on the receiving end of criticism from many Asia-Pacific leaders over its recent aggressive actions to enforce territorial claims to the South China Sea.

Tensions between the USA and China rose last month after the US conducted a freedom of navigation operation by sailing the USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, within 12 nautical miles of an island China has built on a previously semi-submerged reef.

Beijing has displayed irritation with Washington’s expressions of support for the claims of China’s neighbors, and once again refused to budge on the issue in Kuala Lumpur.

On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called on China to stop land reclamation in the disputed waters.

Obama has committed to boosting economic growth and improving human rights.

… Japan also backed the United States to the hilt. Tokyo is already providing patrol vessels to the Philippines and Vietnam. “President Obama’s attendance at the meetings itself is, to the region, very significant”, said Joseph Chinyong Liow, professor of comparative and global politics at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.