WASHINGTON, June 26: US Vice President Joe Biden and visiting Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have discussed China’s “destabilizing behavior” in the South China Sea, the White House said.
“The two leaders discussed mutual concerns over a pattern of destabilising behavior in the South China Sea and reiterated their mutual interest in international law, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of maritime and territorial disputes,” the White House said in a statement.
This was the third meeting between the two leaders since April 2013.
Biden and Lee affirmed the importance of the strategic and economic partnership between the US and Singapore, and consulted on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, the White House said.
Appreciating Singapore’s leadership in shaping a more peaceful and prosperous Southeast Asia, Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to the rebalance to Asia and highlighted US efforts to deepen its engagement with the region on the political, security, and economic fronts, it said.
Noting the advanced state of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the two leaders agreed on the importance of working together to finalize an ambitious, high-standard agreement as soon as possible.
Biden underscored the importance of working to establish new rules of the road to meet the world’s economic needs in the 21st century, the White House said. (AGENCIES)
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