The United States and the European Union have expressed "great concern" over China's "problematic and unilateral acts" in the disputed seas of the Asia Pacific, and have pledged to work together to manage their rivalry with Beijing.

Following a high-level meeting, Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State, and Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Action Service, issued a joint statement saying China's actions in the South China Sea, East China Seas, and Taiwan Strait "undermine peace and security in the region and have a direct impact on the security and prosperity of both the United States and the European Union."

Despite an international court judgment rejecting its historical claim, China claims practically the entire South China Sea. Its forceful stance has led to clashes with other claimants to the sea, most recently in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, according to the report. Parts of the sea are also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, and US ships have been conducting so-called "freedom of navigation" transits in the area, which is one of the world's most significant commercial lanes, according to the report.  The US-EU China Dialogue was established earlier this year, and the declaration came after the group's second high-level meeting.

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