The United States will be looking to calm tensions stoked by recent Chinese oil drilling in disputed waters of the South China Sea at an upcoming meeting of the region's foreign ministers.
Secretary of State John Kerry's trip in Myanmar, starting Saturday, comes after China angered Vietnam by deploying a deep-sea oil rig near islands claimed by both nations.
Top diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, told reporters today that China's withdrawal of the rig in mid-July had removed an irritant but left behind anger in Vietnam and serious questions among other countries about Beijing's long-term strategy.
Russel said the US will be encouraging the half-dozen claimants in South China Sea to take voluntary steps to reduce tensions.
Although the US claims neutrality, China is unlikely to respond favorably.
