U.S. Defense Secretary Carter Visits Aircraft Carrier In Disputed South China Sea

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt crossing the South China Sea on Oct. 29. PHOTO: REUTERS

Reuters: Pentagon chief visits U.S. carrier in disputed South China Sea

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter flew to a U.S. aircraft carrier transiting the disputed South China Sea on Thursday and blamed China for rising tension in the region on a visit sure to infuriate Beijing.

Carter's visit to the USS Theodore Roosevelt with Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein came just over a week after the USS Lassen, a guided-missile destroyer, challenged territorial limits around one of China's man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago with a so-called freedom-of-navigation patrol.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes every year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims.

WNU Editor: It's all about sending a message .... Carter sends message to China with USS Roosevelt visit (Stars and Stripes). I would also add that this visit is to reassure U.S. allies in the region on U.S. commitment.

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