China's dispute with the United States over accusations it harassed a U.S. naval vessel is the worst between the two countries since the detention of a U.S. spy plane and crew in 2001, Reuters quoted the top U.S. intelligence official as saying Today. National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair said Chinese policies "seem to be in a more military, aggressive" stance. "That is a trend that we are seeing," he told the Senate Armed Services committee. It was still unclear, he said, whether China was using its growing military power "for good or pushing people around." His comments came a day after the United States accused China of harassing a U.S. naval survey ship, the USNS Impeccable, in international waters off a Hainan island, a key strategic base from which China projects military power in the South China Sea.
