Time to turn new page on South China Sea, says John Kerry
US secretary of state pledges to encourage Philippines to resume talks with China over maritime disputes
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday it was time to “move away from public tensions and turn the page” over South China Sea disputes, pledging he would encourage the Philippines to resume talks with China.
Kerry’s comments in the Laotian capital Vientiane followed China’s joint statement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Monday over their maritime territorial disputes. The China-Asean statement signalled the major players’ attempts to ease months of confrontation surrounding the ruling, largely against China’s claims, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12.
Analysts said it would still take much effort from all parties to rebuild trust and explore common ground before meaningful negotiations could take place.
At their meeting on Monday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Kerry that China hoped “the US would take steps to support resumed talks between China and the Philippines, and support efforts by China and Asean to maintain regional peace and stability”, according to a foreign ministry statement released on Tuesday.
Hopefully this can become a moment that we can all take advantage of
Kerry said Beijing and Manila had indicated their willingness to engage in talks after the ruling was delivered, and that he would encourage new Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte when they meet in Manila today to engage in dialogue and negotiations with China to resolve the disputes.