The Vanuatu government has announced in a statement that it is backing China's stance regarding the maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

The Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China have competing claims in the area which includes the Spratly Islands. China has been constructing facilities in the Spratly Islands and has established military presence in the region. Vietnam has done the same but compared to China, Hanoi's efforts are of a much smaller scale.

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Despite supporting China's claim, the Vanuatu government has said that the settlement for the territorial dispute should be done in a friendly manner and through non-violent negotiations. The Vanuatu government also said that claims about territorial and maritime rights and interests should be based on cultural and historical information.

China has defended its decision to construct facilities and establish military presence in the contested territory, saying it is meant to protect the country's sovereignty and rights.

After Vanuatu issued its statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "Countries that harbor no selfish interests and understand the South China Sea sympathize with and endorse China's just position on this issue."

Vanuatu is not the first country to back China. The Kingdom of Lesotho has also called on the countries involved in the South China Sea dispute to settle the matter through negotiation and in accordance with the bilateral agreement and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The Palestine government has also released a statement saying that it believes China will not violate the interest of other countries over the disputed islands. Hua agreed with the view of Palestine adding that there is no basis for the recent comments that China's decision to build facilities on the disputed islands means that it is seeking regional domination.

The three countries voiced their support for China after British Prime Minister David Cameron cautioned Beijing to be part of the "rules-based" world. Cameron was attending the G7 Summit in Japan when he made the statement. We want to encourage everyone to abide by these adjudications. I'm sure that will be something that will be discussed," he added.

Tagsvanuatu, Lesotho, Palestine, china, Support, South China Sea, maritime dispute, spratly islands