In an apparent warning to China, US President Barack Obama has said all ASEAN members agreed that Beijing should uphold the verdict of The Hague arbitration tribunal on the South China Sea dispute with the Philippines as it is “legal and binding”. “With regards to security, our nations reaffirmed our commitment to a regional order, where international rules and laws are upheld and where disagreements are all peacefully resolved. There is recognition of the importance of the international arbitrational ruling in July, which is legal and binding and which clarified maritime claims by the Philippines and China in the South China Sea,” Obama said during a press conference at the end of the ASEAN Summit in Laos. He said during the Summit, all nations have agreed to respect the international laws, not militarising disputed areas and not occupy uninhabited islands, reefs and shores.
See also: South China Sea: Philippines And Washington Should Give China Some Space (Forbes, 11 September 2016)
China appreciates Putin’s position on South China Sea issue (Xinhua, 8 September 2016)