U.S. President Barack Obama gestures during a dialogue at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit in Manila
President Barack Obama called on China to halt land reclamation and construction in the disputed South China Sea in his latest show of support for Southeast Asian nations unnerved by China’s assertiveness in the region.
Obama met yesterday with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila, where he called for “bold steps” to lower tensions over the contested waters.
China claims most of the South China Sea, creating a fault-line in relations with its Southeast Asian neighbors including the Philippines and Vietnam.
Through land reclamation, China has created artificial islands from reefs to bolster its claims. But the U.S. has recently responded with military maneuvers near the islands to show it won’t allow freedom of navigation to be compromised in seas that are crucial to political stability in Asia and global trade.
Obama said he and Aquino discussed the impact that China’s land reclamation is having on regional stability. He’s said that maritime disputes need to be resolved peacefully.
“We agree on the need for bold steps to lower tensions, including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction, and militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea,” Obama said.
Aquino said freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea must be continuously ensured, consistent with international law.
South China Sea disputes and the Paris attacks have overshadowed the trade- and business-focused agenda of the annual APEC summit.
China’s president Xi Jinping did not mention the South China Sea in his speech yesterday to a business conference held alongside APEC.
The 21-member bloc accounts for about 60 percent of global GDP. It groups the United States and China with midlevel powers such as Australia as well as developing nations in Asia and South America. AP
philippines, china presidents meet briefly
China’s president Xi Jinping and his APEC summit host Philippine president Benigno Aquino III have briefly met as the two days of leaders’ meetings officially begins. According to presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma, Aquino said: “Welcome, President Xi! Thank you for coming to Manila and attending the APEC meeting.” He then gestured for Xi to join the other leaders. China is at odds with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations over China’s expansive claims to the South China Sea. The disputes are not part of the APEC agenda. Meanwhile, Aquino and President Barack Obama have had a meeting and joint press conference and Obama has underlined his support for allies in the region such as the Philippines.
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