(VOVworld) – Leaders of the US and New Zealand on Friday said China must abide by international agreements it had signed, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. During talks with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Washington, President Barack Obama stressed the need to work out peaceful solutions to the disputes stemming from China’s illegal placement of an oilrig in the East Sea and to avoid escalation of tension. President Obama said that marine disputes could be resolved under international law and called on all parties to act in accordance with the law to resolve disputes. He added that the US opposes the escalation of tension that may affect marine and trade activities. Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand has a clear viewpoint that all parties must abide by international law, including the Law of the Sea.