WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, participated as a keynote speaker at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) 12th Annual South China Sea Conference. Following his address, Congressman Wittman stated:
“The United States must defend the importance of free commerce in the South China Sea and continue to reject China's illegal territorial claims. We have upheld freedom of the seas from our earliest days as a maritime nation. States such as Vietnam and the Philippines deserve our firm support as they seek to resist coercive activities from Beijing. Our friendships are one of our greatest strengths. Regional cooperation frameworks like AUKUS and the Quad also provide important opportunities for deeper ties between like-minded nations who seek to uphold the rules-based international order. To demonstrate the resiliency of our commitments, the United States must deliver sustained naval presence in the South China Sea. By investing in our naval capacity and capabilities, maturing our regional partnerships, and countering aggression from Beijing, the United States can contribute to a prosperous future for the South China Sea. I am grateful to CSIS and Greg Poling for facilitating this critical discussion today.”
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