US Defense chief to visit carrier in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines – United States Defense Secretary Ash Carter is set to visit an aircraft supercarrier in the South China Sea following his visit to the Philippines.

In his remarks at the closing ceremony of US-Philippines joint exercises Balikatan on Friday, Carter said the US "will continue to stand up for our safety and freedoms" and those of America's friends and allies.

Carter will be aboard the USS John C. Stennis but it its exact location in the disputed sea is not clear.

This would be the second time that Carter will fly into a carrier while it is embarked in the contested South China Sea. Last November he was on the USS Theodore Roosevelt as it sailed northwest of Borneo.

A senior US Defense official earlier said that Carter's visit in the contested waters will enhance US ability to operate in the region.

"I hope the Chinese will see this as a demonstration of our commitment to the Philippines and to security and stability in the region," the US Defense official said.

During a press conference with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday, Carter revealed that American troops will stay behind after the Balikatan exercises for joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea.

"These patrols will continue to help build our interoperability and improve the Philippine Navy. Even as these patrols contribute to the safety and security of the region's waters," Carter said.

Carter maintained that the US "will continue to stand up for our safety and freedoms" as well as America's friends and allies.

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