Ashton Carter Postpones Visit to China as Tensions Simmer in S China Sea

choi

Dan Lamothe, Pentagon Chief Postpones Visit to China as Tensions Simmer in South China Sea. Washington Post, Apr 8, 2016.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/n ... in-south-china-sea/

the first 3 and a half paragraphs:

"Defense Secretary Ashton B Carter will embark on a trip in coming days that will focus heavily on China's influence across Southeast Asia, including the disputed South China Sea. But the secretary's travel itinerary won’t include a key player in that discussion: China itself.

"The trip will include visits to India and the Philippines before Carter pivots to the Middle East with stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement Friday. The Pentagon has sought to strengthen relationships with India and the Philippines as China expands its military and puts a variety of new equipment and weapons in the South China Sea, including surface-to-air missiles and advanced radar.

"Carter accepted in November an invitation to visit China after he met with the country’s defense minister, Gen. Chang Wanquan, during a meeting in Malaysia. U.S. defense officials said at the time that the two senior defense officials agreed to work out details for a visit this spring, but when the Pentagon released details about the trip Friday, China was not included.

"Cook said Friday that Carter still expects to visit China later this year

My comment: There is no need to read the rest.