U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Saturday expressed concerns about the "pace and scope" of China's land reclamation in the South China Sea. Speaking at an annual defense forum at the Ronald Reagan Library in California, Carter warned that China's activities could lead to the militarization of the disputed maritime territory and raise the tendency for miscalculation and conflict among claimant countries.

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Carter's comments follows a week-long journey to Asia; where he attended a meeting of defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and delivered a speech on a U.S. aircraft carrier that was sailing past the South China Sea.

He reiterated the commitment of U.S. defense officials to conduct more freedom-of-navigation patrols in the area. According to Carter, China has claimed more land in the disputed territory than all other claimant countries. Experts estimate that China now has up to 2000 acres of land from its artificial islands in the South China Sea.

The Pentagon defense chief said China is the "single most influential player in Asia's future." He noted that China is being observed closely because "How China behaves will be the true test of its commitment to peace and security.

Since U.S. warship USS Lassen sailed close to China's settlement in the South China Sea, officials in Beijing have sounded warnings against provocative acts in the area. On Thursday, China's foreign ministry warned that the actions of the U.S. risks militarizing the contested territory and infringing on the sovereignty and security interests of other nations.

On Saturday, while speaking at the University of Singapore, President Xi Jinping highlighted China territorial claims in the South China Sea. He noted that freedom of movement in the region has "never been a problem."

Xi explained that China is willing to work towards a peaceful resolution of the issue.

"Though some islets over which China has sovereignty have been occupied by others, China has always been committed to solve the problem by peaceful negotiations," he said. "China is committed to working with countries with a direct stake in the issue to solve the dispute on the basis of respect of historical facts, according to international laws and through discussion and negotiations."

While China is willing to have direct talks with claimant countries in the South China Sea, the countries involved are yet to reach any agreement about setting up the necessary mechanism to facilitate the negotiations. It is also unclear if countries like the Philippines - who have repeatedly criticized China's activities in the South China Sea and welcomed the recent U.S. activities in the region - will be willing to participate in any such talks.

TagsXi Jinping South China Sea, USS Lassen, USS Roosevelt, Ash Carter South China Sea