The US again sent B-52 strategic bombers near disputed islands in the East Sea.

The US again sent B-52 strategic bombers near disputed islands in the East Sea. Photo: AP

Two Guam-based B-52H Stratofortress bombers "engaged in routine training in the vicinity of the South China Sea," the statement added, adding that the flight was part of the US Indo-Pacific Command's "Continuous Bomber Presence operations," which have been conducted since March 2004.

The Pentagon did not say which islands in the South China Sea the B-52s flew over, but recent tensions have largely revolved around the Spratly Islands.

The Pacific Air Forces statement affirmed that "the mission (October 17) is consistent with international law and the long-standing US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

Speaking to reporters while accompanying Pentagon chief James Mattis on a visit to the region, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver said, "China has successfully militarized a number of outposts (in the East Sea), and their behavior is increasingly assertive, we are trying to come up with an appropriate response."

The news came as top Pentagon officials announced that China's defense minister had agreed to meet with his U.S. counterpart Mattis, a meeting that had been canceled due to disagreements over Washington's sanctions against Beijing.