U.S. President Barack Obama pressed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, urging Beijing to uphold its legal obligations and stressing the United States’ commitments to its regional allies. Xi said China would continue to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, according to a statement on the Chinese foreign ministry’s website. After the meetings with Xi and his top officials, Obama emphasized the importance for China to “abide by its obligations” to an international maritime treaty in the dispute over rights to a territory rich in oil and fish through which $5 trillion in trade travels each year.

Obama presses China on sea row. (2016, September 5). Philippine Star, p. 10.