(VOVWORLD) - Politicians and scholars said stronger messages are needed to prevent China’s attempts to control the South China Sea, known as East Sea in Vietnam.
 USS Ronald Reagan, warships, and fighter jets in a drills in the South China Sea on July 6, 2020 (photo: DVIDS) |
At the annual conference on the South China Sea organized by the Center for Strategic and International Study (CSIS) on Tuesday, representatives from the US State Department expressed concerns over potential disputes and complications in the South China Sea. They said the US will continue to fight for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, affirming that they have strengthened their own approach to the South China Sea.
Assistant Secretary of the US State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell said the US’s approach builds on America’s long record in the Pacific of preserving peace, upholding freedom of the seas in line with international law, maintaining the unimpeded flow of commerce, and supporting peaceful settlement of disputes. These are important and abiding interests they share with their many allies and partners.
Participants agreed that unilateral acts that disturb stability in the South China Sea will deteriorate trust and violate international law.