US warns China not to provoke after PCA ruling

The US yesterday warned China not to "take further provocative actions" after the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling on the East Sea case.

The aircraft carriers John C. Stennis and Ronald Reagan operate together in the Philippine Sea on June 18. Photo: Reuters

ColinWillett, the US deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said Washington has "many ways" to deal with any Chinese moves in the region, according to Reuters.

She added that in the context of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague about to issue a ruling on the Philippines' lawsuit against China regarding the nine-dash line that Beijing drew in the East Sea, the US is actively working with regional partners and allies to ensure the establishment of a united front.

GrandmaWillett did not predict the court's ruling but stressed that "China will not benefit from continuing to make provocative moves".

She reiterated the US position that the PCA ruling is binding on all parties and that Washington hopes Beijing will see the ruling as "an opportunity to restart serious dialogue with its neighbors".

China has claimed that more than 40 countries support Beijing's stance on the East Sea issue. But Ms.Willett said there were "some suspicious points about this group" and it was unclear what they "agreed upon".

According to VNE