U.S. Interested in the East Sea Dispute

Today the U.S. declared interest in the sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea Islands and rejected the threat or use of force by any party.

Speaking in a press conference after the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting for regional security in Hanoi, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the dispute concerning the sovereignty of the Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands will affect and prevent trade activities at sea in the international maritime routes.

“The U.S. is interested in resolving these disputes. The U.S. supports all parties in finding political solutions to resolve territorial disputes. We oppose the threat or use of force from any party,” Clinton said.

The U.S. insisted that the China Sea dispute is the “important” issue for regional security, and America does not take sides on the dispute in the East Sea.

Clinton also stressed that Washington is willing to help mediate the dispute for the parties.

Earlier this month during a visit to Hanoi, U.S. Senator Jim Webb, Chairman of the East Asia subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also said that the U.S. supports finding long-term solutions to the dispute in the East Sea. He agreed with Vietnam’s leaders that first of all the parties must strictly comply with the Joint Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (South China Sea).

The senator expressed concern about the recent situation in the East Sea and said that the countries should work together to ensure peace and security based on international maritime law.