US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter
Addressing the event, Carter said the “Rebalance”, or “Pivot”, is a pillar in President Barack Obama’s foreign policy, with a focus turned away from the Middle East and to the Asia-Pacific region.

He delivered his country’s pledge to continue stepping up cooperation to tackle common security challenges in the region, including the returns of hundreds of jihadists from Iraq and Syria. 

One of the major challenges is China’s operation in the East Sea, he added. 

Carter is expected to have separate meetings with all ASEAN defence ministers, including Defence Minister of the Philippines Delfin Lorenzana.