Obama, New Zealand PM Key say China should resolve maritime disputes
- 10 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
U.S. President Barack Obama and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Friday (June 20) urged China and its neighbors to peacefully resolve a dispute over oil drilling in the South China Sea and avoid escalating tensions.
"It is important for us to be able to resolve disputes, like maritime disputes, in accordance with international law, and encourage all parties concerned to maintain a legal framework for resolving issues, as opposed to possible escalation that could have an impact on navigation and commerce," Obama told reporters.
Obama made his comments after an Oval Office meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who expressed similar concerns.
"New Zealand holds very strongly to the view that everyone has to adhere to international law, the Law of the Sea," Key said.
U.S. President Barack Obama and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Friday (June 20) urged China and its neighbors to peacefully resolve a dispute over oil drilling in the South China Sea and avoid escalating tensions.
"It is important for us to be able to resolve disputes, like maritime disputes, in accordance with international law, and encourage all parties concerned to maintain a legal framework for resolving issues, as opposed to possible escalation that could have an impact on navigation and commerce," Obama told reporters.
Obama made his comments after an Oval Office meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who expressed similar concerns.
"New Zealand holds very strongly to the view that everyone has to adhere to international law, the Law of the Sea," Key said.