President Barrack Obama addresses the 70th UN General Assembly on September 28, 2015. Photo: telegraph.co.uk

(VOVworld) – The US upholds the basic principles of freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce, and in resolving disputes through international law, not the law of force, said President Barrack Obama at the 70^th UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, with regard to the East Sea dispute. He said the US will defend these principles, while encouraging China and other claimants to resolve their differences peacefully.

The Obama administration had earlier criticized China’s reclamation activities on the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos, including the construction of 3 runways that the US deems will be used by China for military purposes.

Obama’s remarks came just 3 days after the meeting between US President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House last Friday. At the meeting, Obama proposed China settle territorial disputes in the East Sea or East China Sea. He added that Washington hopes all related parties respect international laws and regulations although the US makes no claims on territory there.