6 December 2016, 02:57 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — In September, Russia and China held annual joint naval exercises in the South China Sea.
"The Russians and their resurgence in Europe have also come alive in the Pacific. That is another emergent challenge," Foggo stated.
A total of 18 ships and supply vessels, 21 aircraft and more than 250 service personnel from China’s Navy and the Russia’s Pacific Fleet took part in the drills.
The United States has already responded to China’s growing naval power by increasing the number of freedom of navigation operations in international waters in the region.
