Chair of US House foreign affairs body blasts China’s ‘unilateral’ claims

Rep. Ed Royce, center, meeting with Asian Pacific activists in his office over China’s unilateral claims in South China Sea. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

• Republican Ed Royce met with Asian Pacific Islander activists in his office 

BREA, California – The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed strong opposition to China’s unilateral territorial claims in South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, during a meeting with Asian and Pacific Islander community activists on June 30.

Rep. Ed Royce (GOP) met with the Asia Pacific Petition delegation, which included Filipino and Vietnamese American activists, in his office and had a substantial discussion on China’s deteriorating relations with US friends and allies in the Asia Pacific region.

“As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I strongly oppose the efforts by the People’s Republic of China to unilaterally declare sovereignty over areas of territory in the East China and South China Seas,” Royce said in a statement.

He urged the Chinese government to “respect international law and seek a diplomatic solution to territorial disputes,” and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to “speak with one voice to urge China to cease further aggressive action and negotiate in good faith.”

The Asia Pacific Petition group expressed support for legislative bills still under consideration, such as H.R. 772 promoting peaceful and collaborative resolution of the Asia Pacific Sea, and H.R. 4495 strengthening the United States commitment to the security and stability of the Asia Pacific region.

Royce, meanwhile, announced his new bill H.R. 4254, Human Rights for Vietnam, seeking to sanction individuals who are “complicit in human rights abuses in Vietnam.” The delegation offered strong support for this bill.

Prior to the meeting with Royce, the delegation met with representatives of other US legislator’s offices: Anthony Nguyen, representing U.S. Congressman Scott Peters; Caridad Sanchez for U.S. Senate Barbara Boxer; Ann Thomas for U.S. Senate Diane Feinstein. All representatives were receptive and promised to follow-up with the delegation for further actions.