Southeast Asian leaders are set to wrap up a summit on Thursday dominated by efforts to defuse tensions over the South China Sea and deepen economic links throughout the region.
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) endured deep divisions last year over how to handle rows with China over the sea, and leaders have been focused at this week’s talks in Brunei on rebuilding unity.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino said after an initial gathering on Wednesday night – a dinner hosted by Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – that the leaders had succeeded in finding common ground on the flashpoint issue.
“Everybody is interested in having a peaceful resolution and also in voicing ... concern that there have been increasing disputes,” Aquino told reporters.
Beijing says it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the South China Sea. But Asean members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, also claim parts of the strategically vital and resource-rich body of water.
The competing claims have for decades made the sea one of Asia’s potential powder kegs for military conflict, and concerns have risen in recent years as China has become increasingly aggressive in staking its claim.