The United States said Monday it was “seriously concerned” by the recent sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel by the China Coast Guard and accused Beijing of exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to expand its “unlawful claims” in the South China Sea.

As China continues to recover from COVID-19, the city where the now global disease began is stepping up ship production for military and commercial purposes as part of its broader economic recovery, domestic media and experts say.

The U.S. Army has temporarily delayed the movement of future Soldiers to Basic Combat Training effective April 6.