MANILA, Philippines - United States President Barack Obama said Wednesday that China must stop its activities that increase tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to reporters after a bilateral meeting with President Benigno Aquino III, Obama said China’s reclamation and construction activities have affected regional stability.
"We agreed on the need for bold steps to lower tensions including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea," he said.
Obama maintained that the sea dispute should be resolved without the use of military force.
"As President Aquino indicated, disputes need to be resolved peacefully, that's why the United States support the Philippines's decision to use arbitration under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to peacefully and lawfully address differences," Obama said.
But in the same breadth, Obama also pledged to increase the US' maritime security assistance to the Philippines to record levels, including two new naval vessels.
Amid the continuing sea dispute, Obama renewed his nation's commitment to defend the Philippines.
"Of course, the Philippines and the United States are great allies, so this is an occasion of me to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the security and defense of the Philippines. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder: balikatan," he said.
Obama said the rebalancing of US forces in the Asia-Pacific is rooted in its treaty alliances including with the Philippines.
He said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will bring the US and Philippine militaries even closer together.
"We are especially committed to ensuring maritime security in the region, including freedom of navigation," Obama said.
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