MANILA,\u00a0Philippines\u2014Britain is looking at increasing its involvement in Asia\u2019s economy and security but will not take sides in territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China and its smaller neighbours, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Thursday.<\/p>\n
Hague said during a visit to the\u00a0Philippine\u00a0capital that trade and security are closely related and thrive in open and free societies that follow the rule of law.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur engagement in Asia is as much about security as it is about as trade and prosperity, since these are all inextricably linked,\u201d he told a forum of businessmen, diplomats and students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want Britain to be a leading partner with Asian countries, in trade and commerce, in culture, education and development, and in foreign policy and security,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Hague said Britain is \u201cinvesting in our relationships across the Asia-Pacific,\u201d particularly with its \u201cold friends\u201d\u2014Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and\u00a0Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
He said Britain also is building a \u201cstrong and open partnership with China fit for the 21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all need China to succeed, to continue to grow, and to play a responsible and active role in international affairs and in Asia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hague said\u00a0Southeast Asian\u00a0countries can find a peaceful solution to the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n
China claims virtually the entire region, putting it in conflict with Taiwan, Vietnam,\u00a0Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. It is also in conflict with Japan over small islands in the East China Sea.<\/p>\n
China recently angered the\u00a0Philippines\u00a0and Vietnam by announcing that it will regulate fishing in the South China Sea under its own laws starting this month.<\/p>\n
China and rival claimants have beefed up their navies and stepped up patrols in the disputed territories, increasing the risk of confrontation. The\u00a0Philippines\u00a0has one of the weakest militaries in the region.<\/p>\n
Hague said Britain supported resolving disputes in accordance with international law but \u201cwe don\u2019t take a position on the substance of the claim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI assure you that we will always encourage not just here but all over the world … a rules-based rather than a power-based solution to disputes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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