In Ulan Bator, where he had gone to participate in the Asia Europe Meeting, Mr. Li met with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
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The visit comes as China has warned other countries against threatening its security in the South China Sea after a five-member tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that China had no legal basis for its claim to most of the South China Sea.
“The rule-based worldwide order is in our common interest and both China and the EU have to protect it”, European Council President Donald Tusk said one day after the Hague announced its decision.
China called on Japan not to get involved in the South China Sea disputes in a regional summit on Friday, where Beijing is also attempting to get support for its stance towards the disputes after a ruling by an global court. Laos’ foreign ministry did not responded to Reuters’ request for comment and its state media made no mention of Thongloun’s comments to Li.
The South China Sea waters are believed to sit atop vast reserves of oil and gas. He stated, “War? It is not an option”. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to the strategic waterway.
Taiwan and China both claim almost the entire sea.
Beijing accuses Washington of meddling in regional issues and deliberately stirring up tensions in the South China Sea.
He noted that the South China Sea could be a win-win platform if the countries concerned, in this case the Philippines, use sound reason and engage constructively in dialogue and consultations with China.
But Payne said China should not be shocked that Australia believed the ruling was legal and binding.
Calida later told reporters that “the baseline for any negotiation should be the decision”, adding “we will not concede any awards given to us”.
China said on Monday there should be no discussion about the South China Sea during the ASEM Summit.
“Well, this is an important decision of worldwide law”.
“But since certain countries commented on the issue, it is thus necessary for China to come out to clarify its stance and spell out the truth”, he said.
Immediately after the ruling, the normally brash and outspoken Mr 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 capitalize on the court ruling, according to US administration officials.
“I strongly hope the parties to the dispute comply with the award and lead to a peaceful solution of the dispute in South China Sea”, he said.
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While the European Union is neutral in China’s dispute with its Asian neighbours in the South China Sea, Britain, France and Germany want to make clear that Beijing must uphold worldwide law as it seeks a bigger global role.
