US Senate deplores China action in South China Sea

WASHINGTON – The US Senate on Monday unanimously approved a resolution that “deplores the use of force” by Chinese vessels in territorial disputes in the strategic and resource-rich South China Sea.

Tensions there have escalated in recent weeks, with the Philippines and Vietnam alarmed at what they say are increasingly aggressive actions by Beijing in disputed waters.

The symbolic resolution “deplores the use of force by naval and maritime security vessels from China in the South China Sea” and urges a “multilateral, peaceful process to resolve these disputes.”

China has in the past rejected calls for multilateral talks on the South China Sea disputes, insisting on one-on-one contacts with other claimants.

The senate measure also “supports the continuation of operations by the United States Armed Forces in support of freedom of navigation rights in international waters and air space in the South China Sea.”

Lawmakers reaffirmed “strong support” for the “peaceful resolution” of maritime territorial disputes there and urges all party to the feuds to “refrain from threatening force or using force to assert territorial claims.”

Several recent incidents have put the security spotlight on the South China Sea, a strategic and potentially oil-rich area where China has sometimes overlapping disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Recently, Vietnam carried out live-fire drills and the Philippines ordered the deployment of its naval flagship after accusing China of aggressive actions.

The United States on Saturday called for China to lower tensions through dialogue as they held talks on frictions in Southeast Asia.

Senior US official Kurt Campbell said he assured China during the talks in Hawaii that the United States welcomed a strong role for Beijing, which has warned Washington against involvement in the intensifying disputes.

“We want tensions to subside. We have a strong interest in the maintenance in peace and stability, and we are seeking a dialogue among all of the key players,” said Campbell, assistant secretary of state of East Asian and Pacific affairs.