During the ongoing conference in Laos American Presidnet, Barack Obama, has urged China to finally accept the international court ruling on the South China Sea. Obama sees it as a source of potential conflict that could involve the world's super powers. In his presentation he emphasized: 'the landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region'. He advises that all interested and affected parties should step on the path of diplomacy and negotations to resolve the remianing problems. Obama's words can be interpreted as a response to a recent statement from China, in which they again declared that they will not abide by the rules set in the Hague. 

Until now Chinese lobbying was successful in preventing other regional actors from raising further issues on the South China Sea internationally. The ASEAN states as well as the East Asia statement (to be officially released later today) refused to mention that China continues to breach the international court ruling. Obama’s speech is therefore very likely to meet with strong criticism from China. On few occasions before Chinese authorities emphasized that American involvement in the South China Sea is not helpful and rather deteriorates the conflict even further. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: ‘We hope the US can take an objective and just attitude with respect to South China Sea issues’. This can be understood as a suggestion from China to the United States that they should stay away from problems regarding the South China Sea.

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