Increased anxiety over Chinese land reclamation in the South China Sea, particularly its construction of an airstrip and harbour on Fiery Cross Reef, is drawing considerable attention to US policy in the region where US allies have been pressing for greater involvement.
Regional and US rhetoric on Chinese reclamation may provoke an increased demonstration of US military engagement in the region.
However, the size and scale of these activities will be highly dependent on the pace and character of Chinese activities.
This issue is likely to be featured conspicuously by Carter at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore.
It will almost certainly raise difficulties during Chinese President Xi Jinping's September visit to Washington.
Given Hillary Clinton's previous statements, pursuing a 'tough' China policy may become a prominent theme of her presidential bid.
