Standing with ally: Islamabad renews support to Beijing

Says disputes over South China Sea should be peacefully resolved

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad threw its weight behind Beijing on Tuesday after an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled that China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea.

“Pakistan maintains that disputes over the South China Sea should be peacefully resolved, through consultations and negotiations by states directly concerned, in accordance with bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

In this context, Pakistan opposes any imposition of unilateral will on others, and respects China’s statement of optional exception in light of Article 298 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added.

“Pakistan believes maintenance of peace and security is the collective responsibility of all parties to the South China Sea,” he added. “Countries outside the region should fully respect efforts made by China and the ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and play a constructive role to this end.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2016.