China's territorial claims illegal, deceptive: U.S. Indo-Pacific chief

WASHINGTON -- China's intrusive and expansionist claims in the Indo-Pacific are "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive," the new commander of the Indo-Pacific Command said Friday at a change of command ceremony in Hawaii.

U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, who relieved Adm. John Aquilino at the ceremony, said China's actions go beyond the standard phrase of "gray zone."