MANILA – As tension rises between the South China Sea that involves China itself and its five other small nighboring countries, including the Philippines, the US State Department proposed on Friday that Asian nations to stop the construction to help lower the risk of a conflict between the said countries.
United States Senate said the Philippines properly implemented its right in pushing for peaceful means in resolving the maritime disputes. Recently, the US Senate passed a resolution, which urges all nations to refrain from undermining activities and pushes for the passive settlement of issues pursuing the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.
The US Senate accepted Resolution No. 412 entitled: “Reaffirming the strong support of the United States Government for the freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of the sea and airspace in the Asia-Pacific region, and for the peaceful diplomatic resolution of outstanding territorial and maritime claims and disputes.”
The resolution also provides that the US Senate “condemns aggressive or threatening actions or the use of force to impede freedom of operations in international airspace by both military and civilian aircraft, to modify the status quo or to destabilize the Asia-Pacific Region.”
However, China objects to what it ponders the US interference in the matter. The Philippines has already taken the case before an arbitral tribunal, which China continues to reject. China has been at odds with neighboring countries over its endeavor to rein control over the West Philippines Sea including its tiny islands and its reefs with plentiful fisheries and possible natural resources.
The US Senate also reaffirmed its “steadfast commitment and support for allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific Region, covering time-honored United States policy regarding Article V of the United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.”
Meanwhile, Malacanang recapped its commitment to follow all legal options to counter China’s aggressive attitude.
Photo credit: travelerparadise.blogspot.com
Photo credit: travelerparadise.blogspot.com
