China continues to “coerce, intimidate and make claims” to the vast majority of the South China Sea even as its actions undermine the rules-based order and threaten the sovereignty of nations, US Vice President Kamala Harris said here on Tuesday, asserting that America stands with its allies and partners in the face of these threats.
Harris, in a major foreign policy speech as part of her three-day visit to Singapore, said America’s vision includes the freedom of navigation which is vital to all.
“The livelihoods of millions of people depend on the billions of dollars in trade that flow through these sea lanes each day. And yet in the South China Sea, we know that Beijing continues to coerce, to intimidate and to make claims to the vast majority of the South China Sea,” she said.
These “unlawful claims” were rejected in 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the US Vice President said, referring to its ruling on arbitral proceedings by the Philippines against China’s maritime claims around the Spratly Islands and neighbouring reefs and shoals.
“Beijing’s actions continue to undermine the rules-based order and threaten the sovereignty of nations.
“The United States stands with our allies and partners in the face of these threats,” Harris said.
