Wilmington: Following the fourth in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, the top four world leaders, incluidng Prime Minister Narendra Modi , US President Joe Biden , Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida have expressed serious concern about the militarization of disputed features and coercive & intimidating manoeuvres in the South China Sea.
In a joint statement, the Quad leaders also condemned the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing use of dangerous maneuvers.
The leaders emphasised the importance of adherence to international law in contributing towards sustainable development, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
“As Leaders, we are steadfast in our conviction that international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the maintenance of peace, safety, security and stability in the maritime domain, underpin the sustainable development, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. We emphasize the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to address challenges to the global maritime rules-based order, including with respect to maritime claims. We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. We continue to express our serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea,” the Quad Wilmington Declaration said.
They also called for carrying out activities in the oceans and the seas in accordance with the legal framework set up by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also opposed efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities and reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully.
“We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing use of dangerous maneuvers. We also oppose efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities.We reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. We re-emphasize the importance of maintaining and upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and unimpeded commerce consistent with international law. We re-emphasize the universal and unified character of UNCLOS and reaffirm that UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and the seas must be carried out. We underscore that the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea is a significant milestone and the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” the statement further read.
Quad Leaders ‘Seriously Concerned’ About Intimidating Maneuvers in South China Sea world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
