As China's bellicose nature continues to infuriate its Asian neighbors, the United States has become more forceful in its criticism of Chinese aggression. China maintains its claims over the sea and air surrounding it, however, past the understood limits of its domain.

China has clashed with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines over various areas, including both the South and East China Seas and outlying islands. At an international summit known as the Shangri-La Dialogue Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel chastised China's actions, according to Reuters.

In front of reporters and in the presence of foreign Asian delegations, including China's, Hagel said that China's actions were destabilizing the region and undermining peace. He also said he opposed any countries' intimidation or threats to assert territorial claims, a comment aimed at China.

"All nations of the region, including China, have a choice: to unite and recommit to a stable regional order, or to walk away from that commitment and risk the peace and security that has benefited millions of people throughout the Asia-Pacific and billions of people around the world," he said.

China's Lt. Gen. Wang Guanzhong scoffed at Hagel's comments, calling them "groundless."

You were very candid this morning and, to be frank, more than our expectation." he later told Hagel.

Reporters were removed from the room before being able to hear Hagel's reply, Reuters said.

Meanwhile, both countries' animosity has continued to rise. China's aggression deliberately targets American allies in the region, particularly Japan and South Korea, and the United States cannot afford to lose face, otherwise these allies will doubt allegiance and act on their own accord.

Stars and Stripes reported Hagel announced an increase in America's military presence to show our support for our allies in the region. The United States will increase the number of military exercises in the region to 130 and will up its port visits to 700 every year. He also pledged to raise the amount of military financial support to allies by 35 percent and military training and education by 40 percent by 2016.

"Both President Obama and I remain committed to ensure that any reductions in U.S. defense spending do not come at the expense of America's commitment to the Asia-Pacific," Hagel said.

However, American expenditures will be scrutinized by the American public and Congress, who could potentially be shortsighted and not see the urgency of a Chinese threat to stability and its ramifications.

China has also criticized American and Japanese actions. Lt. Gen. Wang expressed his displeasure at Hagel's remarks, pointing out that he made them while attending a conference concerning regional cooperation, according to the New York Times.

"Secretary Hagel, in this kind of public space with many people, openly criticized China without reason," Lt. Gen. Wang said. "Secretary Hagel's speech is full of encouragement, incitement for the Asia region's instability giving rise to a disturbance."

China claims the U.S. will exert a heavier military presence in the region to assert its authority and protect its allies.

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