This statement was made by US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki at a press briefing on July 17.
She also emphasized the need for the parties that claim sovereignty to clarify their requirements under international law to reach a general awareness of actions and appropriate behaviors in the disputed area.
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| US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki |
Jen Psaki stated that her nation supports parties concerned in voluntarily stopping unilateral provocative actions aiming to accelerate the implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea signed by China and ASEAN.
She declined to comment on China’s displacement of the drilling rig while noting that US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed issues related to navigation in the East Sea and expressed concern over the East Sea tensions during his visit to Beijing last week.
Regarding US stance on the Chinese Government announcing its continued exploration activities in the disputed area, the US State Department spokesperson said the US has national interests in maintaining peace and stability and respecting international law and legitimate commercial activities and freedom of navigation aviation in the East Sea.
