article_snippet.sent: Yesterday, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet - Admiral Harry Harris Jr - warned that the constructions were 'increasing regional tensions and the potential for miscalculation.' '
article_snippet.sent: Harris said the pace of China's construction of artificial islands 'raises serious questions about Chinese intentions.'
article_snippet.sent: Harris said the US continues to urge all claimants to conform to the 2002 China-ASEAN Declaration of Conduct, in which the parties committed to 'exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.'
article_snippet.sent: 'How China proceeds will be a key indicator of whether the region is heading toward confrontation or cooperation,' Harris said.
article_snippet.sent: the US says the US has a national interest in the peaceful resolution of the disputes in a region crucial for world trade.