China tells US defense chief to ‘restrain’ the Philippines

Read the entire story.  The title pretty much tells it all, but this part grabbed my attention...

"As the PLA modernizes its capabilities and expands its presence in Asia and beyond, American and Chinese forces will be drawn into closer proximity - which increases the risk of an incident, an accident, or a miscalculation," Hagel said in a speech at the National Defense University.
"But this reality also presents new opportunities for cooperation."
The risks of a mishap were highlighted in December when the American guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens had to take evasive action in the South China Sea to avoid hitting a Chinese warship operating in support of the Liaoning.
China's military modernization has also been accompanied by a more assertive posture in its territorial disputes.
China claims 90 percent of the 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mile) South China Sea, where the Philippines, along with other countries, stake claims. China has a separate dispute with Japan in the East China Sea over uninhabited islets that are administered by Japan.

The SecDef is working hard to make sure that the Chinese don't pull a Crimea in the Pacific, but I have little faith in his ability to contain events.

Dispatching two additional warships to the region is rather weak sauce when it comes to deterrence but if that's all you can do...