In a symbolic swipe at China's muscular moves in the South China Sea, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited an American aircraft carrier in the disputed waterway. Carter, who was in Malaysia for two days of talks with Asian defense ministers, used the visit to the USS Theodore Roosevelt to amplify the US view that China is making excessive claims that nearly all of the South China Sea is its territory. Carter also signaled that the US will keep a strong naval presence in the region in support of nations seeking to preserve stability.

US defense chief visits carrier in disputed sea. (2015, November 6). The Philippine Star, p. 2.