President Barack Obama was in capital of the Philippines, Manila, a town synonymous with thrillers, and decided to take a page out of Muhammad Ali’s book, and verbally bully an opponent — China — during a two-day economic summit arranged for 20 world leaders (many of them in the Pacific Rim and part of APEC or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) to discuss trade and climate change.

This from The New York Times:

Obama called on China on Wednesday to halt its construction on reclaimed islands in the South China Sea […]

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, Mr. Obama directly addressed the disputed Chinese claims to islands in the critical waterway. He urged the Chinese to stop military activities there and endorsed a process of arbitration to settle differences between Beijing and its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“We agree on the need for bold steps to lower tensions, including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea,” Mr. Obama said.

Obama also pledged $250 million in military contributions to several smaller Asian nations in the region to “stand up to China”, and defend the route through the sea, which serves as a vital route for both commerce and trade.

To read our South China Sea coverage leading up to this breaking post, click here.