‘US not neutral in South China Sea disputes’

THE United States is not neutral when it comes to following international law in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and will come down forcefully to ensure that all parties adhere to the rules, Washington’s top diplomat for East Asia said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

The US has repeatedly said that while it takes no position on competing sovereignty claims over disputed land features in the South China Sea, it does want these maritime claims to be advanced in accordance with international law and without the use of coercion (See: “The Case for a Bolder US South China Sea Policy“). That hedged position has led some to incorrectly read the US stance on the issue as being ‘neutral,’ with China in particular accusing Washington of “taking sides.”