US rejects China's 'nine-dash line' in South China Sea

NEW YORK -- The U.S. does not accept Chinese maritime claims over most of the South China Sea and stands with its Southeast Asian allies in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a sweeping statement issued Monday.

"Today we are strengthening U.S. policy" regarding the South China Sea, Pompeo said, calling it a vital and contentious part of the Indo-Pacific region.