China taking 'self-isolating' steps in South China Sea: Pentagon

Reuters

Published Jan 23, 2016 02:27AM ET

Updated Jan 23, 2016 07:51AM ET

China taking 'self-isolating' steps in South China Sea: Pentagon

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - The United States is not looking for conflict with China but steps it is taking in the South China Sea are self-isolating and prompting other countries to seek help from Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Friday.

"I'm not one of those people who believes conflict between the United States and China is inevitable, it's certainly not desirable, I don't think it's likely," Carter said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.