Delivering a keynote speech at the fifth annual South China Sea Conference held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Tuesday, Daniel Russel, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, reportedly denied the US was neutral in the South China Sea. Comments:

We are not neutral when it comes to adhering to international law. We will come down forcefully when it comes to following the rules. We the United States are obligated to protect US interests.

Daniel Russel, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, July 21