Obama calls on China to halt land projects in S China Sea
US President Barack Obama called on China to stop land “reclamation” and construction in the disputed South China Sea, in his latest show of support for the Southeast Asian nations locked in territorial disputes with China.
Obama met Wednesday with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila.
The US president arrived in Manila on Tuesday, opening a six-day diplomatic tour in Asia that is expected to be focused on the region’s long-standing disputes and more immediate concerns about terrorism roiling the Middle East and Europe.
The United States accuses China of undergoing a massive “land reclamation” program in the Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea by turning reefs into artificial islands to bolster its claims.
The US does not recognize China’s sovereignty in the contested waters and recently responded with sending warships and military aircraft near the islands on the basis of freedom of navigation.
Beijing accuses Washington of meddling in the regional issues and deliberately stirring up tensions.
Obama said he and his Philippine counterpart discussed the impact of China’s construction projects on stability of the region.
"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," he said.
Aquino said freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea must be ensured in accordance with international law.
Following a tour of the BRP Gregario Del Pilar, a onetime US-owned frigate, Obama announced Tuesday that the US would hand over two additional ships— a US Coast Guard cutter and a research vessel—to the Philippines.
"We have a treaty obligation, an ironclad commitment to the defense of our ally, the Philippines. You can count on the United States," he said, with American and Philippine troops looking on.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims with China over parts of the South China Sea.
The ongoing territorial disputes and last week’s deadly attacks in Paris threaten to overshadow the normally business-focused APEC summit.
After the Manila summit, Obama will fly to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for the ASEAN and East Asia summits.
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