Obama aide visits China after South China Sea ruling
BEIJING- US National Security Adviser Susan Rice was in Beijing on Monday for talks with Chinese officials in the highest-level visit by a White House official since an international tribunal issued a ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
The tribunal's July 12 ruling delivered a victory to the Philippines, a US ally, but angered China and appears set to heighten regional tensions. The US, whose Navy patrols the waters, has called on China to abide by the ruling while also urging calm.
The topic was not raised in opening remarks in front of reporters at Rice's meeting with China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi.
