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            US Defense Secretary to Visit Carrier in South China Sea

   by VOA News

   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.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-defense-secretary-to-visit-carrer-
   in-south-china-sea/3286878.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-defense-secretary-to-visit-carrer-in-south-china-sea/3286878.html