United States Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Senator John McCain and a fellow Republican lawmaker Senator Dan Sullivan welcomed the award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the case of The Republic of the Philippines against The People’s Republic of China. They also said the award is binding on all parties involved.
The US senators also said China now has two choices to make. “China can choose to be guided by international law, institutions, and norms. Or it can choose to reject them and pursue the path of intimidation and coercion. Too often in recent years, China has chosen the latter. The world will be watching to see the choice China makes,” Senators McCain and Sullivan said in a released statement.
They also said the United States government must continue to be clear and consistent in its policy to oppose unilateral actions by any claimant seeking to change the status quo in the South China Sea through the use of coercion, intimidation, unilateral declarations or military force.
McCain and Sullivan also said they expect the US Military to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.
“We remain committed to our alliance with the Philippines and to our responsibilities under the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951,” the two American senators said.
“We also look forward to further developing our longstanding relationship and alliance with the Philippines in the years ahead. As such, we urge Secretary Kerry to visit Manila and meet with President Duterte during his upcoming trip to the ASEAN Regional Forum,” they added.
http://www.update.ph/2016/07/us-senators-reaffirm-responsibilities-under-mutual-defense-treaty-with-ph/7482
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