The US on Tuesday welcomed Taiwan’s call on all claimants to disputed shoals, reefs, rocks and islets in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea to exercise restraint, refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate tensions, as well as to respect international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “With regard to the maritime claims and the claims to sovereignty over land features in the South China Sea, our position is that maritime claims must accord with the Law of the Sea,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said. Rathke said the State Department was aware of a white paper issued by the Chinese army about its plans to expand its military presence in the South China Sea.

Katigbak, J., & Lee-Brago, P. (2015 May 28). Taiwan's peace call on claimants of disputed territories welcomed. The Philippine Star, p. 2.