US seeks end to South China Sea island-building

MANILA, Philippines — A United States official on Thursday reiterated calls for claimant-countries in the South China Sea to end island-building in the disputed waters to achieve a “conducive environment” for negotiations.

Patrick Murphy, US Department of State principal deputy assistant secretary for Southeast Asia, stressed discussions can only work if the environment is conducive for dialogue.

“We also shared concerns about the need to create an environment conducive for dialogue, and that means sustaining a prohibition on militarization, construction, reclamation of disputed outposts,” Murphy said in a press briefing via phone.

In recent years China has beefed up its reclamation and reported militarization activities in the disputed waters.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year agreed to a framework for negotiations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier confirmed talks would begin this year, with leaders hoping for “an early conclusion.”

The developments in the South China Sea were discussed during the US-ASEAN Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Tuesday.

“So as this dialogue goes forward, we encourage adherence to the basic principles,” Murphy said.

The US is hoping the process of the code of conduct negotiations would be transparent and lead to a “binding, meaningful result in accordance with international law.”

He said “no one country should bully or coerce their way to results.”

While the US is not a claimant-country, Murphy stressed the South China Sea is a “top priority” of Washington as almost half of the world’s commerce passes through the disputed waterway.