US reiterates call for dialogue on South China Sea dispute

From InterAksyon (Mar 21): US reiterates call for dialogue on South China Sea dispute




The United States on Thursday reiterated its appeal to claimant countries in the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, to sit down and negotiate a peaceful resolution of their territorial disputes.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas also said the US remains keen on its plan to "rebalance" its forces to Asia, which many see as an attempt to contain China’s growing strength.

Thomas said the South China Sea remains a vital economic lane through which "trillions of dollars of trade" passes, thus it is imperative that "sea lanes have to be opened to everyone."

"We call on China and all other countries to act in a responsible manner, to work with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to forge a serious code of conduct and to sit down at the negotiating table and do this in a peaceful manner," Thomas said.

He also said the US pivot to Asia would benefit not only the Philippine military but the region’s economy as well.

"The rebalance or re-pivot to Asia is not about any one country. It is about the economic engine, becoming the economic engine of the world," he said.

The US and Philippine military regularly hold joint military exercises as part of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries.

This year’s Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises start on April 5.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/57635/us-reiterates-call-for-dialogue-on-south-china-sea-dispute