Trump Defense Chief Seeks Diplomatic End in South China Sea

by Dramelin 12:30 AM 0 comments

"China claims more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, where it has constructed features on seven rocks and reefs and installed military facilities. Mattis also reaffirmed the longstanding U.S. view that East China Sea islands disputed by Japan and China are administered by Japan and are therefore covered by the U.S.-Japan security treaty. Speaking in Tokyo after a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, Mattis accused China of "shredding the trust" of its neighbors. ""What we have to do is exhaust all efforts, diplomatic efforts, to try and resolve this properly," Mattis told reporters. Mattis sees no need for dramatic military moves at this timeDiplomatic efforts should be exhausted to resolve the South China Sea dispute, said U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, weeks after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared to advocate a tougher stance.