Bold steps need to be taken to lower tensions in the South China Sea, U.S. President Barack Obama said Wednesday in Manila, affirming his support for the Philippines’ effort to settle its territorial dispute with China through international arbitration.
"We’re not claimants ourselves but we fully support a process in which through international laws and international norms these issues are resolved,” Obama said after meeting Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. “We look forward to working with all parties to move disputes through these channels."
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague last month ruled it has jurisdiction to hear the case against China’s bid to assert its claims to the South China Sea, even though China has refused to take part in the proceedings. China’s claim to more than 80 percent of the waterway also clashes with those made by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.