Statement by Senator John McCain on Chinese actions in South China Sea
Washington, D.C. - On 24th July 2012, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement regarding recent Chinese actions in the South China Sea:
“The decision by China’s Central Military Commission to deploy troops to islands in the South China Sea, which are also claimed by Vietnam, is unnecessarily provocative. Similarly, China’s appointment of legislators to govern all of the islands and waters that China claims in the South China Sea only reinforces why many Asian countries are increasingly concerned about China’s expansive territorial claims, which have no basis in international law, and the possibility that China will attempt to impose those claims through intimidation and coercion. China’s actions in this case are disappointing and not befitting a responsible great power. We must continue to urge all parties with territorial claims in the South China Sea to seek a peaceful, multilateral resolution that is based on international law and upholds the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters.”
