Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 714) reaffirming the peaceful and collaborative resolution of maritime and jurisdictional disputes in the South China Sea and the East China Sea as provided for by universally recognized principles of international law, and reaffirming the strong support of the United States Government for freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of sea and airspace in the Asia- Pacific region, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 714 Whereas the maritime domains of the Asia-Pacific region, which include both the sea and airspace above the domains, are critical to the region's prosperity, stability, and security, including global commerce; Whereas the maritime domain in the Asia-Pacific region between the Pacific and Indian Oceans includes critical sea lines of commerce and communication; Whereas China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei have disputed territorial claims over the Spratly Islands, and China, Taiwan, and Vietnam have disputed territorial claims over the Paracel Islands; Whereas, although the United States Government is not a claimant in maritime disputes in either the East China or South China Seas, the United States has an interest in the peaceful diplomatic resolution of disputed claims in accordance with international law, in freedom of navigation and overflight, and in the free-flow of commer…”