The Russian President said during the recent G20 Summit in Hangzhou that he supports China’s stance on the South China Sea issue and opposes any third-party interference.
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Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos, he said a ruling by an global tribunal in July that China can’t legally claim ownership of 90% of the South China Sea was “binding” and “helped to clarify maritime rights in the region”.
“The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region”.
During the EAS, Obama and Abe coordinated with other leaders on efforts to advance a rules-based order in East Asia in the face of China’s construction and militarization of island outposts in the South China Sea.
“The trend to resolve differences will be good, there is now positive direction in our relations, and the (code of) conduct in the South China Sea should happen next year after the framework of the Code of Conduct has been dealt with by the ASEAN region”, he reportedly added. Obama brought that up again. “I recognise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions”, he said at a summit meeting. It did not mention China by name.
Beijing has refused to accept The Hague’s ruling and has accused the U.S. of interference.
The statement, seen by Reuters, made no reference to The Hague ruling.
He says the US will also standing with allies and partners in upholding freedom of navigation and flights in worldwide spaces.
Officials said that talks on Wednesday between leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China’s Li had gone smoothly.
“We also undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability”, said the Asean-China Joint Communique signed on September 7, 2016 in Laos.
In recent years, China built islands on reefs and islets in the Spratlys archipelago capable of supporting military operations.
ASEAN held a separate meeting later Thursday with eight world powers, including China and the U.S, in a gathering known as the East Asia Summit. While the emerging giant has succeeded in glossing over the issue for now, the seeds of conflict remain.
“Countries in the region are the biggest beneficiaries of peace in the South China Sea”. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons.
He said the two countries were also looking into setting up a hotline to tackle emergencies in the disputed South China Sea.
The Chinese ships were at Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island, 黃岩島), a small fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone that China took control of in 2012.
An artificial island at Scarborough Shoal could be a game changer in China’s quest to control the sea and raises the risk of armed confrontation with the USA, according to security analysts.
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The accusation by Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin came after the East Asia Summit in Vientiane ended without reprimanding China on its assertiveness in the waters, actions that have strained ties with its neighbours. “What I can tell you is that the situation in waters near Huangyan Island remains unchanged and China hasn’t made any new moves”, Hua was quoted as saying by The Philippines Star.
