Obama asks China to respect international law in the East Sea

President Obama said that China - a signatory to UNCLOS - must comply with its obligations under the Convention.

BBC reported that on September 3, US President Barack Obama called on China to comply with its obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) when conducting activities in the East Sea.

US President Barack Obama meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the G20. Photo: Reuters.

In an “unusually lengthy” statement after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House said President Barack Obama “emphasized America’s unwavering commitment to the security of our allies in the region.”

According to the White House, Mr. Obama had a "frank exchange" with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, ahead of the G20 Summit.

During the meeting, President Obama stressed the importance for China, a signatory to UNCLOS, to comply with its obligations under the convention, the White House said.

The statement also said: “President Obama reaffirmed that the United States will work with all countries in the region to uphold the principles of international law, ensure unimpeded lawful commerce, and maintain freedom of navigation and overflight.”

China unilaterally claims sovereignty over almost the entire area of ​​the East Sea - home to the "busiest" maritime trade route in the world.

Beijing has even threatened to take all necessary measures to defend its illegal claims in the South China Sea and that its actions in the South China Sea, including large-scale island reclamation, are for peaceful purposes.

China also blames the US and its regional allies, such as Japan and Australia, for “adding fuel to the fire” and escalating tensions in the region.

The US and Japan have repeatedly stated that they have no sovereignty claims in the East Sea, do not take sides in the dispute, but stand on the side of international law and the top priority is to ensure freedom of navigation in the East Sea.

Before arriving in China to attend the G20, US President Barack Obama also warned China that if it wants to increase its influence in the world, it must at the same time increase its responsibility and avoid flexing its muscles with small countries in the East Sea dispute.

"What we've said to the Chinese and we've been consistent is you have to recognize that as power increases, so do responsibilities," President Obama stressed on the issues of the South China Sea dispute, cyber attacks and economic policy in an interview with CNN.

According to the BBC, Chinese media when reporting on the meeting between US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not mention the East Sea issue.

According to VOV