World / US blacklists 24 Chinese firms over work in South China Sea

The US has blacklisted 24 Chinese state-owned firms and imposed visa restrictions on individuals responsible for building artificial islands in the South China Sea (SCS) or restricting other countries from accessing their offshore resources there. The US said that China's actions since 2013 have "trampled" upon other countries' rights, caused environmental devastation and destabilised the SCS.

Hindustan Times : Aug 27, 2020, 10:55 AM
Washington: The United States announced sanctions and restrictions on 24 Chinese companies and associated officials Wednesday for taking part in building artificial islands in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

“Since 2013, the PRC has used its state-owned enterprises to dredge and reclaim more than 3,000 acres on disputed features in the South China Sea, destabilizing the region, trampling on the sovereign rights of its neighbors, and causing untold environmental devastation,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.