Following the international arbitration court's decision to invalidate China's vast claims over South China Sea came out, the United States appeared to stand firm with its decision to continue operating in the area.

 While visiting a Chinese naval base on Wednesday, US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson declared that "The US Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all."

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"This will not change," the official added, according to CNN.

As he admitted that he is supportive of "deepening the ties" between the US and Chinese navies amid the South China Seas issue, he also pointed out that "I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea."

It can be noted that China refused to recognize the international tribunal ruling on the territorial claim of the Philippines over Spratly Island, as it reportedly blamed the US repeatedly for "stirring up trouble" in the disputed group of islands.

In the meantime, the Philippines reportedly claimed that China asked them to "disregard" the decision on the case relative to the South China Sea dispute brought by the former to the international tribunal, BBC revealed.

According to the country's foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, he did not accept any negotiations "outside of and [in] disregard of" the ruling.

Aside from the Philippines and China, other countries have also put their on South China Sea, like Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Tagschina, Philippines, South China Sea