In Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines have claims to the South China Sea. File photo: Reuters
Asean stays on the sidelines as South China Sea tensions mount
- Vietnam and the Philippines have lodged protests against China’s activities but other Southeast Asian states have been restrained
- While Washington’s presence is welcome, Asean countries will not publicly admit it and neither will they attempt a collective response, says an analyst
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines have claims to the South China Sea. File photo: Reuters
