U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Philippines' President Benigno Aquino shake hands at a dinner at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila December 17, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
MANILA (Reuters) - Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday played down tension with China over the East China Sea, saying U.S. efforts to strengthen maritime security in South East Asia were part of a normal process to help allies defend themselves better.
Kerry said maritime disputes between countries should be resolved peacefully through arbitration and the United States would speak out when a country, such as China, took unilateral action that raised the potential for conflict.
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