US President Barack Obama has called for the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea during a speech in Vietnam, saying Washington supports Hanoi’s territorial claims.
Obama made the statements on Tuesday just a day after lifting a decades-long ban on the sale of lethal arms to Vietnam, a move which is likely to anger China and pave the way for an escalation of tensions in the region.
“In the South China Sea, the US is not a claimant in current disputes, but we will stand with our partners in upholding key principles like freedom of navigation,” Obama said.
Obama said Washington supports Vietnam’s territorial claims against Beijing in the South China Sea and promised it greater access to military equipment.
“Vietnam will have greater access to the equipment you need to improve your security,” Obama said. “Nations are sovereign and no matter how large or small a nation may be its territory should be respected.”
In a…