The nine- dash on line overlaps with waters claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.
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The Chinese premier called on Vietnam to value the hard-won momentum in the development of bilateral relations and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea with China. Laos’ foreign ministry did not responded to Reuters’ request for comment and its state media made no mention of Thongloun’s comments to Li.
China angrily vowed to ignore the ruling by a court in The Hague dismissing its claim to much of the South China Sea. Asean has not issued a statement about the ruling and its members have not said why.
“I think that the nature of the South China Sea dispute is very complex and a single ruling can not be all-encompassing”, Miroslav Poche, also a member of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with China, told Xinhua.
While Donald Tusk, head of the European Council which represents national governments, did mention the issue in public remarks in Beijing, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was careful to say the bloc did not take a stance on sovereignty in South China Sea, although she also urged all countries to respect UNCLOS rulings.
Jose Calida, Manila’s top government attorney, stressed there would be no concessions to China.
The tribunal in The Hague rejected China’s claims in a landmark ruling that also found the country had aggravated the seething regional dispute and violated the Philippines’ maritime rights by building up artificial islands that destroyed coral reefs and by disrupting fishing and oil exploration.
“The award opens a horizon of possibilities for all stakeholders”.
China has previously said it has widespread support for its rejection of the case but many countries have stuck to cautious comments about resolving disputes peacefully and respecting worldwide laws. He asked all parties and claimants to respect the decision made in accordance with global law, saying “there is so much at risk in the event of conflict, in the event of heightened tensions, so this is an important decision”.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said earlier on Thursday that he is asking former President Fidel Ramos to help start talks with China over the South China Sea dispute.
“War is not an option”, he said.
Immediately after the ruling, the normally brash and outspoken Duterte privately told his ministers to be magnanimous and not to pique Beijing, according to one minister.
The United States, a key Philippines’ ally, is urging Asian nations not to move aggressively to capitalise on the court ruling, according to USA administration officials.
Richardson, a career submariner, during the July 17-20 trip will also head to China’s submarine academy in Qingdao, homeport of China’s North Sea Fleet, and meet for the first time with Adm. Wu Shengli, commander of naval forces in the People’s Liberation Army.
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Chinese state media on Friday reported again that China aims to launch a series of offshore nuclear power platforms to promote development in the South China Sea.
