On Friday, Clinton praised the parties involved for reaching a preliminary agreement on resolving the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.


The agreement aims to prevent conflict over several disputed islands and potential oil and gas resources. Washington has said peaceful resolution of the claims is in American national security interest.


China has been accused in recent months of trying to intimidate oil explorations by the Philippines and Vietnam in waters that are also claimed by Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

Clinton Challenges Parties in S. China Sea Dispute to Prove Territory Claims