Amy Searight, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defence for South and Southeast Asia
(VOVworld) - The United States urged the European Union on Wednesday to speak out more forcefully and support Washington in its opposition to China’s development and militarization of man-made outposts in the East Sea.
At a discussion on US and EU policies towards East Asia at Washington's Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Amy Searight, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defence for South and Southeast Asia, said Washington welcomed EU calls for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the sea and respect for international law.
But she said there was "somewhat of a difference of approach" when it came to Washington's call for a freeze on construction activities - something China has rejected.
David O'Sullivan, EU ambassador to Washington, said the European Union was concerned about security in East Asia and was adding a security dimension to its work, but made clear there were limits to this.