Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the United States is pleased that the nations of the South China Sea to take first steps "to develop a code of conduct against competition maritime territorial claims.
"We welcome this multilateral approach," said Gates, speaking Tuesday in Hanoi, Vietnam, before a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.
Gates raised the issue of such regional differences "seems to be an increasing challenge to regional stability and prosperity."
"The United States does not take sides resolved peacefully competing territorial claims, as in the South China Sea. If the claims can compete without violence or coercion, through diplomatic cooperation processes, and in accordance with customary international law.
"In this regard, we are encouraged that the applicant countries in the South China Sea take the first steps to develop a comprehensive code of conduct to discuss, in line with the 2002 Declaration of ASEAN on the Conduct of Parties."
Beijing says most of the South China Sea belongs to China, arguing neighbors complaints. The dispute over territorial waters and islands - and the natural resources that go with them - is a focus on Asia-Pacific region.
A diplomatic battle erupted last month between China and Japan on the Japanese detention of a Chinese fishing captain of the disputed Diaoyu Islands. China makes claims to the islands, but the Japanese see it as an integral part of Japanese territory and called the Senkaku.
ASEAN is a political and economic organization, consisting of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The talks in Vietnam, other nations such as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
"We welcome this multilateral approach," said Gates, speaking Tuesday in Hanoi, Vietnam, before a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.
Gates raised the issue of such regional differences "seems to be an increasing challenge to regional stability and prosperity."
"The United States does not take sides resolved peacefully competing territorial claims, as in the South China Sea. If the claims can compete without violence or coercion, through diplomatic cooperation processes, and in accordance with customary international law.
"In this regard, we are encouraged that the applicant countries in the South China Sea take the first steps to develop a comprehensive code of conduct to discuss, in line with the 2002 Declaration of ASEAN on the Conduct of Parties."
Beijing says most of the South China Sea belongs to China, arguing neighbors complaints. The dispute over territorial waters and islands - and the natural resources that go with them - is a focus on Asia-Pacific region.
A diplomatic battle erupted last month between China and Japan on the Japanese detention of a Chinese fishing captain of the disputed Diaoyu Islands. China makes claims to the islands, but the Japanese see it as an integral part of Japanese territory and called the Senkaku.
ASEAN is a political and economic organization, consisting of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The talks in Vietnam, other nations such as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
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