To recall, tension between China and Philippines first started at the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 when China effectively evicted Filipino fishermen from the area.
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Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei reported that Abe expressed deep concern about China’s “continued attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the South and East China seas over the past few months” and warned Southeast Asian leaders against taking too conciliatory a stance towards Beijing.
“If we are not here interacting and learning from you, and understanding the culture of the region, then we will be left behind”, he said.
China had insisted repeatedly this week it was not undertaking any island-building activities at the shoal.
“We are gravely concerned about this development”, he said.
Reiterating its rejection of the tribunal ruling, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing that China hoped the United States can take “an objective and just attitude with respect to South China Sea issues”.
“Given this situation, some people are hyping the situation by spreading that kind of information”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing in Beijing.
“If this theory about my reception and my rebalance policy is based on me going down the short stairs in China, yes, I think that is overblown”, the president said, a sarcastic edge in his voice.
“There are no dredging or building activities there”.
He criticized efforts to exaggerate and overstate differences which lead to discord, and in a veiled criticism of the United States “interference” in the South China Sea dispute with Philippines, said outside involvement would complicate issues. The last four are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The said images capturing the Chinese vessels were released shorthly before leaders from ASEA met in Laos for the regional summit. The six-page, 28-point declaration devoted one paragraph to the South China Sea. Gen. Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a Thai government spokesman.
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Hinting that Washington will not abandon its support to the Philippines over the South China Sea dispute, Obama said, “The US will stand with its allies and partners in upholding fundamental interests, among them are the freedom of navigation and over flight, lawful commerce that is not impeded and peaceful resolution of disputes”.
