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ASEAN Foreign Ministers Express Concern Over South China Sea Tensions

by Reuters

   MANILA, Philippines --

   Foreign ministers of Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN on Saturday
   expressed their concern over growing tensions in the South China Sea
   which they said could threaten regional peace and urged for peaceful
   dialogue among parties.

   "We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South
   China Sea that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the
   region," the bloc's top diplomats said in a statement.

   The statement came as China and the Philippines have traded accusations
   in recent months over a series of maritime run-ins and as Manila cited
   the need to change its approach since diplomatic efforts were headed in
   a "poor direction."

   China has described the accusations as "purely false hype," and said it
   will not turn a blind eye to repeated "provocations and harassment" by
   the Philippines.

   ASEAN foreign ministers also reaffirmed the need to "exercise
   self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or
   escalate disputes."

   "We reiterate the importance of peaceful dialogue that contributes
   constructively to the promotion of regional stability and cooperation
   in the maritime domain."

   ASEAN and China have worked toward creating a code of conduct in the
   South China Sea, a plan dating back to 2002. But progress has been slow
   despite commitment by all parties to advance and speed up the process.

   Talks on the components of the code have yet to start amid concerns
   over China's willingness to commit to a binding set of rules consistent
   with international law.

   China claims most of the South China Sea through a "nine-dash-line"
   that loops as far as 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) south of its
   mainland, cutting into the exclusive economic zones of Brunei,
   Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

   China on Friday named former navy chief Dong Jun as its new defense
   minister. He previously served as vice-commander in a command which
   operates in the South China Sea.