'Toughest ever' on Russia. newspaper archive.Mike Pompeo said he discussed ways to "promote stability" in the region Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe - the country has also spoken out on China's moves in the South China Sea recently Trump humiliation: Australia savages US over China aggressionSouth China Sea: US DOUBLES spy plane missions despite 'no need'

"The proper people have been aware of every threat to our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan," he said.Mr Pompeo said he and his team have warned Russian officials about all threats that Russia poses to Americans and US interests in various parts of the world.The Morrison Government seems to be betting that all it needs to do is hold its nerve and hold the line when it comes to China's trade threats, writes Stephen Dziedzic.He said the discussions with the Russians involved all manner of threats against Americans in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere.Mr Pompeo's testimony came a day after US President Donald Trump told an interviewer he had not raised the bounty allegations in numerous phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite concerns about them from the intelligence community. ': Couple ties the knot on Melbourne's final day of weddings'So soon and so suddenly': Queensland border closure takes businesses, locals by surprise'We lost everything': Devastation of Beirut's explosion hits home for hundreds of thousandsThese Sydney nurses are celebrating a major win against coronavirus – here's why'It's all up in the air': Stage 4 hitting Melbourne workers in different ways The US official said the US would back Southeast Asian nations “upholding their rights and interests” in the region.Mr Pompeo also outlined the US’ opposition to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea during the call.Mr Pompeo wrote on Twitter: “Great conversation with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Bala today to discuss our desire to uphold international law in the South China Sea and promote stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”Cale Brown, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, provided more details of the conversation.In a statement, the spokesperson said: “Secretary Pompeo reiterated US support for Southeast Asian states upholding their sovereign rights and interests under international law, and he underscored US opposition to PRC efforts to use coercion to push its unlawful South China Sea maritime claims.“Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Balakrishnan also discussed the importance of our longstanding partnership and ways to expand our cooperation further, including in ASEAN and its related fora.”ASEAN refers to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – a group which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.However, last month China’s ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, warned Southeast Asian countries against attempts by the US to “sabotage” stability in the region by becoming involved, according to reports.In other news, Japan has spoken out on the issue in recent weeks.Last month, the country’s government said in its annual defence review China “is continuing to attempt to alter the status quo” in both the East China Sea and South China Sea.The review also said there had been “relentless” moves by China around a contested group of islands known by Japan as the Senkakus and by China as the Diaoyus, Al Jazeera reports.Over the past couple of months, the US has stepped up reconnaissance missions into the South China Sea.The increase in spy planes was picked up by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative – a think tank based at Peking University.SCSPI researchers found there had been 67 US surveillance operations over the region in July – up from 35 in May.However, the research group said there was “no need” for the US to conduct such intensive missions, because it “possessive all-around advance reconnaissance technology”.On one occasion, a US plane came within roughly 47 miles of Shanghai on the Chinese mainland.Explaining why the airborne surveillance may have been stepped up in this way, SCSPI director Hu Bo said the coronavirus pandemic could be a factor.In an interview with Chinese news outlet the Global Times, he said “many US warships” had been hit with “group infections events”.The think tank director claimed this could have caused a shortage of warships, and “the US might have opted to enhance aviation reconnaissance.” See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, Mr Pompeo also outlined the US’ opposition to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea during the call. "Our vigorous diplomacy has helped lead an international awakening to the threat of the CCP. "We're taking seriously the threats that the Russians will engage in disinformation campaigns," he said.This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.China's latest move straight from its punishment playbookWhen it comes to China, Australia doesn't want to be boxed inPressure mounts on Australia to participate in US South China Sea navigation operationsUS emphasises importance of economic links to Australia with new reportThe world's two biggest powers are on a collision courseDamian got coronavirus. "We see the Chinese Communist Party for what it is: the central threat of our times," Mr Pompeo said.