U.S. Fears China Crimea-Like Move

Seeking to dissuade China from solving its territorial claims in Asia like Russia did in Crimea, the U.S. on Thursday reminded the rising power of its commitment to defend Asian allies. Daniel Russel, the U.S. diplomatic point man for East Asia, said the sanctions placed on Russia should have a "chilling effect on anyone in China who might contemplate the Crimea annexation as a model" especially given China's interdependence on neighbors. Russel also referred to what he deemed "intimidating steps" on the part of China by deploying vessels in its dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea. In addition to the Philippines, China has ongoing territorial disputes with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.