Asia Times reports that “the commander of the US Pacific Command (Pacom) came under political fire from China last week following recent comments critical of Beijing’s military encroachment in the South China Sea.”  

“The communist party-affiliated Global Times, in a front page report, accused Pacom’s Adm. Harry Harris of ‘China bashing’ and ‘making waves in the South China Sea’ for comments accusing China of regional hegemony made during recent speeches and congressional testimony.”  

“The publication, often used as an official outlet for hardline anti-US propaganda, then issued a veiled threat that harsh comments from the admiral were creating stepped up competition between the United States and China and could lead to conflict.”