Rubio slams China for verbal threats to South Korea following Beijing’s ‘maritime expansion’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio slammed the Chinese government for verbally threatening South Korea following Beijing’s maritime expansion into the South China Sea.

“Communist China verbally threatens South Korea after the country rightfully raised concerns over Beijing’s aggressive maritime maneuvers in the South China Sea,” Rubio said on social media.

“Nations worldwide must continue to stand up against the CCP’s unlawful maritime expansion. #ExposingTheCCP,” he added.

According to an article by the South China Morning Post, China warned South Korea to “behave cautiously and in a neutral manner,” in regard to maritime disputes with the Philippines.

A South Korean spokesperson said that although their nation was not directly involved in the dispute, they have become more vocally critical of Beijing’s expansion in the South China Sea.

Rubio has taken several steps to combat Chinese influence in American society and around the world throughout his time in the Senate.

The senator’s office explained his work relating to China includes combatting TikTok, advocating for democracy in Hong Kong and protecting research and technology development.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would ban the use of TikTok in the United States or force its parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app in order to reduce Chinese influence in U.S. media.