Singapore, US back settlement of East Sea disputes under international law
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated US support for Southeast Asian states upholding their sovereign rights and interests in the East Sea under international law.
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated US supportfor Southeast Asian states upholding their sovereign rights and interests inthe East Sea under international law.
Pompeomade the affirmation during his recent phone call with Singaporean ForeignMinister Vivian Balakrishnan, the US Department of State announced on August 4.
TheSingaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said Singapore's key interest isin maintaining peace and stability the East Sea - one of the world's busiestwaterways.
Singaporeupholds the right of all states to freedom of navigation and overflight, aswell as supports the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance withuniversally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, FM Balakrishnan said.
Bothsides shared the view on the significance of the longstanding partnership andmeasures to expand cooperation, covering collaboration within ASEAN and atrelevant forums./.
The Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations on July 29 sent a note verbale to the UN Secretary General, saying China’s claim to the maritime features in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) has no basis under international law.
Indonesia has expressed concern over escalating tensions in the East Sea and urged China to obey international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to settle disputes.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed bilateral defence ties and regional tensions over China’s claim that it owns most of the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), the US Department of State said in a readout of the conversation on August 3.
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Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (Photo: AFP) 
