U.S. won't 'tiptoe' around China with Asia stability at threat - defence chief

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan speaks at the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, June 1, 2019. REUTERS/Feline Lim

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States will no longer "tiptoe" around Chinese behaviour in Asia, with stability in the region threatened on issues ranging from the South China Sea to Taiwan, acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Saturday.

Shanahan did not directly name China when making accusations of "actors" destabilising the region, but went on to say the United States would not ignore Chinese behaviour, the latest in the exchange of acerbic remarks between the world's two biggest economies. He added, however, he was keen to foster a military relationship with Beijing.