Sec. Ash Carter: US Will Keep Patrolling South China Sea

"Aggressive" actions by China and other countries in the South China Sea to claim territory will not dissuade the United States from its longstanding naval patrols in the region, Defense Sec. Ash Carton told ABC.

"Well, what we're doing is what we have done for decades," Carter said in an interview aired Sunday on ABC's "This Week."  "That's a reflection of the U.S. military presence in this region, and we're strengthening that with President Obama."

American strength has kept peace and stability in the region with no NATO or security structure, he said. "That's the reason we're out here."

China's action of building and claiming islands in the region is widely viewed as an "aggressive act" in the region, The United States is challenging China and other countries making such claims, to prevent them from using the islands for military purposes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made that assurance, Carter said, and the United States intends to see he keeps the promise.

"For our point, we'll continue to sail, fly and operate where international law permits as we have done for decades, Carter said.

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