The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives on November 20 passed a resolution reaffirming the need for a peaceful and collaborative solution to maritime and jurisdictional disputes in the East Sea and East China Sea as provided by universally recognised principles of international law.

Resolution H.Res. 714, introduced by Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, reassures the strong support of the US Government for freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of sea and airspace in the Asia-Pacific region.

It condemns coercive actions or the use of force to impede these freedoms in international maritime domains and airspace.

The resolution urges China to refrain from implementing the declared East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which is contrary to freedom of overflight in international airspace, and to refrain from taking similar provocative actions elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.

It also urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), US allies and partners, and all claimants to fairly resolve these outstanding disputes, including through developing a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.-VNA