#Singapore: Might not right in #South #China Sea disputes #WASHINGTON — Singapores prime minister said Tuesday international law should determine how territorial disputes in the South China Sea are resolved, rather than the notion that might is right. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was responding to a question about Chinas expansive territorial claims in resource-rich oceans that have spooked some of its Southeast Asian neighbors. #Singapore is not a claimant state in the South China Sea, but is supportive of efforts by Southeast Asias regional bloc to negotiate with #China a code of conduct to manage and resolve the territorial disputes, that have increased regional tension. The city state also balances its strong ties with Washington with cordial relations with #Beijing. Lee noted that #China says its claims have a historical basis that predates international law. Im not a lawyer so I presume theres some plausibility in that argument, Lee told the Council on Foreign Relations during a visit to #Washington, but from the point of view of a country which must survive in the international system where there are big countries and small, outcomes cannot be determined just by might is right. I think international law must have a big weight in how disputes are resolved, Lee said, also praising for the U.S. generally following such principles. Lee added that the Chinese have seen other great powers during history that have tried to rise by might only to rise and then fall. He said the #Chinese are trying not to make the same mistake. The United States has been critical of what it considers provocative Chinese actions to assert its territorial claims, most recently by positioning oil rig in waters also claimed by #Vietnam. #China has also had standoffs at sea with U.S. ally the #Philippines. philstar/world/2014/06/25/1338846/singapore-might-not-right-south-china-sea-disputes via #AseanMilitaryDefenseReview
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 05:35:24 +0000
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