Rising maritime tensions in Asia are a cause for concern and disputes should be resolved legally and peacefully, the leaders of the Group of Seven advanced democracies said on Friday. Though no individual countries were mentioned, the contents of their declaration at the close of an annual summit appeared to be directed at China.
Beijing’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea has angered some of its Southeast Asian neighbours and sparked fears over threats to freedom of navigation in the body of water that encompasses key global shipping lanes.
The Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also have competing claims in the expansive maritime area. China’s ongoing militarisation of islets and outcrops there has sparked broader apprehensions about the country’s growing regional might as well as its threats to back up the claims with force, if necessary.
“We are concerned about the situation in the East and SCS, and emphasise the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes,” G7 leaders said.