US Defense Secretary to Visit Carrier in South China Sea

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is visiting the USS John C. Stennis deployed in the South China Sea, a trip which will likely anger China.

Carter announced the visit Friday in Manila at the closing ceremonies of the Balikatan U.S.-Philippines joint military exercises.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, and has aggressively carried out island-building and patrols in waters that are claimed by other countries.

The U.S. military has been conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea with the Philippines and is increasing its presence on the archipelago with rotational forces and equipment, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter revealed Thursday.

Carter said the first South China Sea joint patrol was carried out in March. Defense officials say a second joint patrol was completed in early April.
  [voanews.com]
 14/5/16
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