John Kerry says US neutral on SCS row

US secretary of state John Kerry says the United States has no position in China’s disputes with Southeast Asian nations in South China Sea, but only wants all parties to follow the rule of law and settle their differences peacefully.

He said on Tuesday that a recent international tribunal’s decision on a case brought by the Philippines against China which went against Beijing is final and binding and based on international law.

“We absolutely support rule of law, the legal process and diplomacy,” Kerry told reporters ahead of a regional security conference being hosted by Laos.

China, which also is attending the conference, has rejected The Hague-based tribunal’s decision, saying it has a historical claim over most of South China Sea. It says all disputes should be resolved bilaterally.

The Philippines and China should “turn the page” and hold talks over contested areas of the South China Sea after a tribunal shot down Beijing’s claims to the strategic waterway, US secretary of state John Kerry said Tuesday.

Relations between China and the Philippines hit a nadir earlier this month after Beijing refused to recognise a UN-backed ruling invalidating its claims to much of the sea.

The Philippines, which says it owns areas claimed by China, took the case to a Hague-based tribunal for arbitration. Mr Kerry reiterated Washington’s stance that the tribunal’s decision to favour the Philippines was binding, but added that it was time to seek new ground.

Mr Kerry is due to fly to Manila for talks with Mr Duterte later Tuesday.