Chinese diplomat tells Singapore to stay out of South China Sea disputes
Caution from vice-minister at Asean meeting comes as China and the bloc make progress on maritime code of conduct
A senior Chinese diplomat urged Singapore to stay out of South China Sea disputes at a meeting between China and the Asean bloc of countries.
The remark was made as China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations made progress on Tuesday towards adopting a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea.
Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said after the meeting in Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia that China and Asean had agreed to release a joint statement on a Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES).
However, in a veiled criticism of Singapore’s stance on the disputes, Liu said China hoped the city state would perform well in its role of coordinating dialogue between China and Asean.
“As Singapore is not a claimant in the South China Sea, we hope that the Singapore government, on the condition of not interfering in South China Sea issues, will actively promote cooperation between China and Asean,” Liu said.
Also speaking at the same press conference, Chee Wee Kiong, permanent secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called on all parties to exercise self-restraint as tensions rose in the South China Sea.