Story highlights Carson was pressed by reporters in South Carolina as to whether he wanted to revise what he said in debate

President Barack Obama also pushed back on Carson's statements that defeating ISIS would be easy

Washington (CNN) GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson said Friday that he has better sources than the White House about the situation in Syria, sticking by his claim that China is involved in the fighting there.

Carson previously said that the Chinese were involved in Syria in Tuesday's GOP debate, which the White House rejected.

National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Thursday she has "not seen any evidence of Chinese military involvement in Syria" when asked about Carson's suggestions at a White House briefing.

On Friday in South Carolina, Carson was pressed by CNN on whether he wanted to revise his earlier comments.

"I have several sources that I've gotten material from," said the retired neurosurgeon. "I'm surprised that my material is better than theirs."

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