Chinese Warships Off Alaska During Obama Visit

Five Chinese warships have moved into the Bering Sea off Alaska as US President Barack Obama toured the state.

The Pentagon said it was the first time the US had seen Chinese ships in the Bering Sea, but the vessels were sailing in international waters.

Officials said they did not view the display as a threat to Mr Obama.

"We respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.

The five ships are three surface warfare ships, one amphibious assault ship and one supply vessel. They were participating in a naval exercise with Russia,

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said defence officials "have not detected any sort of threat or threatening activities".

The ships are a sign of the expanding reach of China's navy. Beijing has increased defence spending to modernise its forces and wants to develop its navy to defend its growing interests.

However, as it held a massive military parade marking 70 years since World War Two ended in Asia, China pledged a 300,000 reduction in troops to show it poses no expansionist threat.

Mr Obama was in Alaska to speak about climate change .