China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea. The South China Sea, rich in natural resources, is also a major shipping lane. The U.S. on Monday called for “candour and openness” ahead of NSA-level talks with China in Beijing, the first such high-level political dialogue since an international tribunal rejected Beijing’s expansive claims over the strategic South China Sea. While quashing China’s claims, it also upheld the Philippines’ rights over the area. U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice began her visit in Beijing by holding talks with her counterpart Yang Jiechi after China’s outright rejection of the tribunal, questioning its legality.

Source: The Hindu July 25, 2016 09:45 UTC