No change in Singapore's stand on South China Sea dispute: MFA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says there is no change in Singapore's policy on the South China Sea. 

In a statement MFA said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reiterated Singapore's consistent position when he met Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the sidelines of the 20th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vladivostok on Saturday.

Mr Lee said Singapore does not take sides on the merits or otherwise of the various specific disputes in the South China Sea. 

He called on all claimants to exercise restraint and for disputes to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. 

MFA was responding to media queries referring to articles in the Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin published yesterday, reporting that Singapore supported the Philippines' position in the South China Sea dispute. 

MFA added that unlike the Filipino media reports, Singapore deals with facts not fiction. 

The Philippines, Vietnam, China and several other countries lay claim to the area which is believed to hold vast amounts of oil and gas, is a rich fishing ground and is home to shipping lanes vital to global trade.