Nations rally for PH on WPS US tells China to cease harassment in SCS, envoys back arbitral ruling

By Vince Lopez and Rey E. Requejo

THE United States urged China on Wednesday to comport its maritime claims over the South China Sea and cease “harassment” of state vessels laying claim to the disputed area, which includes islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, said the US government reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea.

“We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states’ sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region,” the US official said.

“We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, ambassadors from Australia, Japan, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and India on Wednesday recognized the importance of the legal victory the Philippines won seven years ago in its territorial dispute with China.