(VOVworld) – The US and Australia have issued a joint statement to protest unilateral acts that change the status quo in the East Sea and East China Sea using violence or force.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (right) and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop at AUSMIN 2014 (Photo: VNA)

In the joint statement issued at the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations on Tuesday in Sydney, the two countries underscored their shared interest in the maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international law, unimpeded lawful commerce, and upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and East China Sea. They called on claimants to refrain from actions that could increase tensions and to clarify and pursue claims in accordance with international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The statement emphasized the need for parties to build upon the framework for managing disputes set forth in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and called on China not to commit acts that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. The US and Australia encouraged claimant states to reach consensus on what types of activities should be permissible and what types of activities should be avoided in areas that are in disputed areas.