Widodo also called for police and judicial reform to boost legal certainty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy
Carter declined to elaborate when later pressed on what "actions" Washington might take
The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam have competing claims in the area
China is using dredgers and other tools to convert low-lying ocean features and sandy blips into military bases
Niger, Togo, Afghanistan and Burundi among the latest foot soldiers in 'a public relations war' by China
His remarks won loud applause from more than 2,000 delegates including top Vietnamese leaders
China deploys coast guard and PLA Navy ships in the South China Sea to maintain a "near-continuous" presence there
Response comes amid growing tension between the two countries over claims to much of the South China Sea
Japan has its own dispute with China in the East China Sea over uninhabited islands that it administers
Beijing will start construction on a South China Sea islet as it seeks to project its power in the disputed waters