Kerry aims to calm South China Sea tensions

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Myanmar seeking to calm tensions in the South China Sea between China and its smaller neighbors.

Amid concerns about recent provocative steps taken by China and others regarding several disputed territories in the sea, Kerry opened talks with senior Southeast Asian officials at a regional security forum here at which the conflicting claims are expected to be high on the agenda.