The United States has asked China to learn from India’s handling of maritime disputes, ahead of a key ruling by an International Court of Arbitration on rival claims over South China Sea.
A top US defence official told a Congressional hearing that China has taken a position of non-acceptance on the jurisdiction by the International Court in a case the Philippines has brought against China’sclaims.
Referring to a ruling by the same court against India in favour of Bangladesh in a maritime dispute in 2014, the official noted that India abided by the court’s ruling. He further asked China to emulate India’s example.
The Philippines has sought a decision from the tribunal regarding the validity of China’s nine-dash line as a maritime claim. The court, based in The Hague, is due to give it’s ruling next week, raising fears of confrontation in the region.