US President Barack Obama (R) and US Secretary of State John Kerry (C) listen during a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 23, 2016. Obama was to meet communist Vietnam's senior leaders on May 23, kicking off a landmark visit that caps two decades of post-war rapprochement, as both countries look to push trade and check Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
PHOTO : AFP
"Big nations should not bully smaller ones, disputes should be resolved peacefully," he told an audience in Hanoi, referring to the disputed maritime region.
Change in tactics: Obama warns of more strikes in Pakistan
His remarks won loud applause from more than 2,000 delegates including top Vietnamese leaders.
Washington and Hanoi have been drawn closer together through their mutual concern at Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the sea.
China claims almost all the South China Sea and has rattled neighbours with a series of reclamation and construction projects -- including airstrips -- on reefs and islets.
Vietnam and four other countries also have claims to parts of the sea.
The United States takes no position on the competing territorial claims but asserts freedom of navigation and flights in the sea and has sent warships near Chinese-held islets.
US forces will continue to go after threats on Pakistani soil: Obama
"As we go forward the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows and we will support the right of all countries to do the same," Obama said.
On Monday Obama announced he was scrapping a Cold War-era ban on weapons sales to Vietnam, seen as a major boost for Hanoi as it tries to bolster its defences against its giant northern neighbour.
"Vietnam will have greater access to the military equipment you need to ensure your security," Obama told delegates, adding the US would continue to train Vietnam's coastguard to "enhance maritime capabilities".
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