KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday told his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan that the American military would continue to operate in the South China Sea.
With tensions still simmering after a US naval vessel sailed close to artificial islands China is building in the disputed waters, the pair met for about 40 minutes on the sidelines of a regional defense meeting.
"(Carter) once again reaffirmed that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," a senior US defense official said after the two defense chiefs met in Kuala Lumpur.
"And he clearly made the case that the South China Sea would not be an exception."
Carter's comments came hours after his top US admiral in the Pacific region, Harry Harris, gave a speech in Beijing in which he told China that the US military would continue to sail "wherever" international law allows.
Carter also discussed Washington's concerns over alleged Chinese cyber attacks.
In a meeting that was "business-like and cordial", Chang reiterated Beijing's position that the islets are sovereign Chinese territory and its displeasure with the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen's presence.
The ship last week sailed within 12 nautical miles of at least one of the land formations China claims in the disputed Spratly Islands.
Read the full story at DefenseNews