Asean seeks early conclusion of a maritime pact for South China Sea
Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting urged to accelerate negotiations on agreement to defuse maritime tensions in disputed waters
Southeast Asia will push for early conclusion of a maritime pact to defuse tension in the South China Sea, Malaysia said yesterday as the Philippines decried the inaction over reclamation efforts by China in disputed waters.
Foreign ministers from 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations grappled with the issue during a two-day retreat in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysia's Sabah State in Borneo.
"The ministers instructed our senior officials to intensify efforts towards achieving the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work vigorously towards the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea," Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said at the end of the meeting.
As chair of Asean this year, Malaysia faces the challenge of ensuring the issue of South China Sea does not flare up.
Although Malaysia is a claimant state, it has thus far preferred quiet diplomacy in dealing with the dispute as it attempts to strike a balance between protecting its interests and preserving its relationship with China, a major trading partner.
The Philippines and Vietnam, however, have had very public rows with China over encroachment into their territory in the Spratly Islands.