Trump defence chief seeks diplomatic push in South China Sea

(Feb 4): Diplomatic efforts should be exhausted to resolve the South China Sea dispute, said US Defense Secretary James Mattis, weeks after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared to advocate a tougher stance.

Speaking in Tokyo after a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, Mattis accused China of "shredding the trust" of its neighbours. He said freedom of navigation remained absolute and that all nations should "play by the rules."

"What we have to do is exhaust all efforts, diplomatic efforts, to try and resolve this properly," Mattis told reporters. "Our military stance should be one that reinforces our diplomats," he said, adding that "at this time we do not see any need for dramatic military moves at all."

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