China has warned United States to stay out of the South China Sea dispute.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that Beijing wants to work with other claimant countries to end interference in the disputed maritime region.
However, United States President Barack Obama responded to Li's remarks by saying that Beijing must follow the international tribunal ruling that dismissed China's broad claim to the disputed South China Sea as having no legal basis.
"The landmark ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama said during a summit of Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders.
Beijing, however, has sworn to dismiss the verdict.
Obama recognizes that the decision of the arbitration court has increased tensions, however he looked forward to discussing how the affected parties can positively move forward while promoting democracy and stability.
China's Premier Li asserted that with joint efforts from ASEAN members, the situation would be in a positive direction.
Hours before the meeting, the Philippines defense ministry presented photos and a map showing that there was an upsurge in the number of Chinese sea vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, which was seized by Beijing in 2012.
Beijing is claiming a large portion of the South China Sea. Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines have rival stakes in the disputed region.China has warned United States to stay out of the South China Sea dispute.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that Beijing wants to work with other claimant countries to end interference in the disputed maritime region.
However, United States President Barack Obama responded to Li's remarks by saying that Beijing must follow the international tribunal ruling that dismissed China's broad claim to the disputed South China Sea as having no legal basis.
"The landmark ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama said during a summit of Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders.
Beijing, however, has sworn to dismiss the verdict.
Obama recognizes that the decision of the arbitration court has increased tensions, however he looked forward to discussing how the affected parties can positively move forward while promoting democracy and stability.
China's Premier Li asserted that with joint efforts from ASEAN members, the situation would be in a positive direction.
Hours before the meeting, the Philippines defense ministry presented photos and a map showing that there was an upsurge in the number of Chinese sea vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, which was seized by Beijing in 2012.
Beijing is claiming a large portion of the South China Sea. Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines have rival stakes in the disputed region.
