President Barack Obama on Thursday said that the US wants to work constructively with Southeast Asian nations to lower tensions with China in the South China Sea.
At a meeting in Laos of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Obama said that the recent UN tribunal ruling against China is binding and clarifies the maritime rights issue.
He said that he realized the ruling raised tensions but that the US wants these disputes to be resolved peacefully and he will keep working to help make that happen.
Obama also said the US wants to build on its partnership with Southeast Asia and to promote a “rules-based order” in the region.
He also added that the US will keep pushing for completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal.
That deal is awaiting ratification in the US Congress.
(Published in an arrangement with AP)
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