SINGAPORE — Southeast Asian navies are heading to their first joint exercises with China in its southern waters next week, and defence officials agreed Friday to conduct a similar drill with the U.S. next year. The drills come amid lingering tensions in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety but is challenged by several Southeast Asian nations as well as Washington. Mattis said he remains keen for a “constructive relationship” with China but expressed concern about its military activities in the disputed South China Sea. Journalists were ushered out once he started to comment on the South China Sea. China and other Asian governments have rival claims to parts of the South China Sea.

Source: National Post October 19, 2018 06:45 UTC