United States President Barack Obama has warned China against bullying its neighbors in the South China Sea ahead of the G20 Summit.
Obama, in an interview with CNN, said that China should exercise limits at all times in dealing with its South China Sea neighbors and should stop bullying competing claimants to the disputed territory.
Obama revealed that he tried to convince China's President Xi Jinping regarding the benefits of restraints.
"Part of what I've tried to communicate to President Xi is that the United States arrives at its power, in part, by restraining itself," said Obama.
Obama added that China has been "doing it all wrong" by rejecting the recent arbitration court ruling and continuing to build military facilities in the region.
"If you sign a treaty that calls for international arbitration around maritime issues, the fact that you're bigger than the Philippines or Vietnam or other countries ... is not a reason for you to go around and flex your muscles," Obama emphasized.
The US President said that China should accept the arbitration court ruling and not bully its neighbors in the disputed South China Sea region.
However, President Xi has been pushing to defend China's rights to disputed territory in the South China Sea. Lately, Xi said, China would continue to defend its rights despite arbitration court ruling.
