(VOVworld) – US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Tuesday rejected accusations by China that the US’s involvement in East Sea developments has undermined peace and stability in the region.
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US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki (Photo: AFP)
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Responding to a Chinese reporter’s comments that the Chinese Foreign Ministry claims the tensions in the East Sea were not caused by China and that the US has exaggerated the story, Psaki said the US stands united with many other countries. She said that in a phone call with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed grave concern about the East Sea situation, called for restraint, and once again called China’s actions provocative.
The same day, the ambassadors of ASEAN countries to South Africa gathered in Pretoria to discuss the East Sea. The meeting was chaired by Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang, interim chair of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee. The ambassadors shared information and voiced their concerns. They agreed that ASEAN needs to bolster its solidarity and determination to ensure peace, stability, safety, and maritime freedom in the East Sea, and make this one of the focal points in building an ASEAN Community by 2015. Ambassador Hoang said he hopes ASEAN countries and the international community will support Vietnam’s legitimate rights and oppose China’s violations.