Skip to main content

Written question asked by Helen Goodman (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 June 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 July 2018 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Monday, 2 July 2018. A substantive answer was provided by Mark Field (Conservative) on Monday, 2 July 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


Disputed Territories: South China Sea

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region on disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea.

Answer

This issue features regularly in Ministerial discussions with regional counterparts including those from China, Japan and the nations of South East Asia. Ministers and senior officials also regularly attend multilateral meetings which cover the issue, most recent the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore in June this year.

The UK does not take sides or support any sovereignty claim over another. Our commitment is to the impartial and independant operation of international law and freedom of navigation and overflight. The UK opposes militarisation of the South China Sea and we urge all parties to respect freedom of navigation and settle their disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
158183
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Disputed territories South China Sea
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk