The Philippine government hailed the statement coming from leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) seeking a peaceful settlement of the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the G7 statement on maintaining rules-based maritime order and achieving maritime security, as well as on addressing tensions in the East and South China Seas, “mirrors the Philippine position which President Aquino has staunchly advocated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international fora.”
“Indeed, freedom of navigation is essential to the flourishing of global trade and commerce. Such declaration reflects the emerging confluence of global public opinion on the importance of peaceful conflict resolution,” Coloma said in a statement.
The G7 leaders have expressed concern about the tensions in the East and South China Seas and urged concerned parties to abide by international law. The group, comprised of the leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, issued the statement amid the aggressive land reclamation works by China in the disputed territory.
“We underline the importance of peaceful dispute settlement as well as free and unimpeded lawful use of the world’s oceans,” the G7 leaders said, without mentioning countries.
“We strongly oppose the use of intimidation, coercion or force, as well as any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo, such as large-scale land reclamation,” they added.
MANILA BULLETIN
