The Obama administration criticized Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea amid growing pressure from several Asian governments for the US to take a firmer line, Financial Times reported. In public statements issued in the past few days, senior US officials blamed China solely for tensions in the region and warned that the US could move more forces into the area if Beijing were to declare a new air defence zone in the region. Several allies in the region have complained privately that the US has allowed China to pursue its claims with greater confidence.