G7 backs legal solution, opposes coercion in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Group of Seven Industrialized Countries or G7 pushed for the resolution of the dust-up over East and South China Sea through "legal dispute settlement mechanisms" in a communiqué released in Brussels on Wednesday.

"We support the rights of claimants to seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including through legal dispute settlement mechanisms," said the forum of leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United States, United Kingdom and the European Union.

The Philippines sought relief from the maritime tensions with China by filing before the United Nations an arbitration case, which it calls a "peaceful, open and friendly resolution mechanism."

China, however, rejected the arbitration and refused to participate in the proceedings. It insisted on direct negotiations with rival claimants and continued its surveillance in the waters with Coast Guard vessels.

Without mentioning China's growing militarism, G7 said it objects against the show of might in the waters, among the most important global trade routes.

"We oppose any unilateral attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force," the group said.

"We call on all parties to clarify and pursue their territorial and maritime claims in accordance with international law," it added.

The group echoed the United States' call to maintain freedom of navigation and aviation in the maritime areas, claimed by China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam in the South China Sea and Japan, Taiwan and China in the East China Sea.

Also read: Philippines urges China to reconsider arbitration | Canada, Britain back arbitration

"We underscore the importance of the freedom of navigation and overflight and also the effective management of civil air traffic based on international law and International Civil Aviation Organization standards and practices," the group added.

G7, which includes US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, also pressed for confidence-building measures among rival claimants in Southeast Asia.

Such measures, done to reduce intergovernmental tensions, may include joint training of troops and setting up of demilitarized zones in sensitive areas.

Discussions begin at dinner #G7Brussels #EU pic.twitter.com/8iJD36fMUw

— José Manuel Barroso (@BarrosoEU) June 4, 2014

Over the weekend US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel used his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore to accuse China of carrying out destabilizing actions in waters contested by its smaller neighbors.

Hagel also acknowledged Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's speech, which insinuated China's role as an aggressor in the growing region.

Abe also expressed his support for the Philippines and Vietnam, set to be recipients of patrol vessels from Japan.