Special to WorldTribune.com

U.S. President Barack Obama on Nov. 18 called on China to stop its land reclamation and military buildup in the South China Sea.

“We agree on the need for bold steps to lower tensions, including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction, and militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea,” Obama said during a meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Manila.

China, which claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its territory, has used land reclamation to construct artificial islands and built several runways that experts say are for military purposes.

Beijing’s buildup has created tension between China and several of its neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

Aquino said freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea must be in line with international law.

Chinese president Xi Jinping did not mention the South China Sea in his speech on Nov. 18 to a business conference held alongside APEC.

The 21-member APEC bloc represents nearly 60 percent of global GDP.

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