Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United States Ambassador to ASEAN, Kevin Kim,\nhas stated that the US understands and respects the function of ASEAN in\nhandling disputes in the South China Sea. \u201cThe government understands\nand respects how ASEAN functions as an institution,\u201d Kim said during a\nclosed-door discussion with the media in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
Regarding the South China Sea disputes, the US recognises that\ndiscussions are ongoing between several ASEAN member states and China.\nASEAN member states will form a consensus based on their respective\npositions among the group, negotiating with China as a single entity,\nwhich necessitates that a consensus be reached.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respect that consensus-driven process. Fundamentally, it is the\nSoutheast Asian nations and people who must manage or handle these\nissues,\u201d said Kim.<\/p>\n
According to Kim, geography is an unalterable political fact. From\nthe US perspective, similar sentiments are expressed by other regional\nnations such as Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand\u2014namely, that\nany agreement must not undermine the interests of the US or other third\nparties that also have interests in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n
Kim added that the maritime region is essentially a vital sea lane\nupon which the global economy depends. He stated that, as emphasised by\nUS Secretary of State Rubio, the US will continue to uphold its\nobligations under treaties with the Philippines and regarding the South\nChina Sea.<\/p>\n
The US, Kim noted, will continue to sail in international waters as\nit has long done, because, fundamentally, freedom of navigation is a\nbasic right held by every nation. \u201cWe see what happens when one country\nattempts to deny that right to another. And that is something we will\ncontinue to uphold,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kim also reaffirmed that the US upholds the principles based on the\n1982 UNCLOS ruling, as well as the 10-year anniversary of the arbitral\ntribunal ruling regarding the South China Sea.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-ambassador-us-respects-aseans-role-in-managing-south-china-sea-disputes-1785520438", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }