(VOVworld) - The US House of Representatives passed a resolution on December 4 emphasizing the need for a peaceful solution to maritime and jurisdictional disputes in the East Sea and the East China Sea on the basis of international law. The resolution shows the deep concern of US lawmakers about the increasingly complicated developments in the region and re-affirms the US government’s strong support for freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of sea and airspace in the Asia-Pacific region.

China's ships in the East Sea. Photo: Reuters

It condemns coercive actions or the use of force to impede these freedoms in international maritime domains and airspace, and urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), US allies and partners, and all claimants to seek peaceful solutions to disputes by fully abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards formulating the Code of Conduct in the East Sea. On November 20, the resolution was approved by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.