Instant Alert: The only photo you need to see to know that the US is serious about the South China Sea

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   The only photo you need to see to know that the US is serious about the South China Sea by Amanda Macias on Mar 31, 2016, 12:25 PM Territorial claims from Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, and China make the South China Sea one of the most disputed territories on the planet. This contested region is home to $5 trillion in annual global trade, so the tit for tat over crumbs of land in the South China Sea isn't for nothing. And while China claims the majority of the contested region, the US continues to patrol the area. In a simple show of force, here's US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter flying in a V-22 Osprey over the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the South China Sea.   SEE ALSO: These images might just be the clearest signs of China's expansion in the disputed South China Sea   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011