ASEAN's lack of consensus shows concern over South China Sea: U.S.

The inability of a forum of Southeast Asian defense ministers to agree on a joint statement at the end of a forum on Wednesday reflects their concern about China's activity in the South China Sea, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said. "It was clearly an issue of discussion and an issue of concern by countries in the meeting, because everybody raised it," Carter told a news conference. The Association of South East Asian Nations held its defense ministers meet this week, joined by other countri