South China Sea likely on Asean agenda



KUALA LUMPUR: -- World leaders gathering for the 27th Asean Summit and related summits this weekend are expected to discuss issues related to the South China Sea, Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said, New Straits Times reported.

The minister said the other strategic issues to be raised by the leaders could include tensions in the Korean peninsula and terrorism.

He confirmed the participation of all 10 Asean leaders and their counterparts from the eight dialogue nations – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States – as well as the United Nations secretary-general.

The leaders of Asean and its dialogue partners are expected to discuss future dialogue relations and the way forward, said Anifah. These will encompass cooperation in the fields of security, economy and culture as well as to exchange views on issues of common interest, among others, on the South China Sea, the situation in the Korean peninsula, radicalisation and terrorism and the role of moderation, as well as environmental issues, he added.

This year’s summit, which will be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is set to be a historic one, as regional bloc will realise the establishment of the Asean Community by year end and adopt a new plan to chart the next 10 years of the group’s development.

“The Asean leaders will be signing the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the Asean Community. They will also be signing the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together” at a ceremony scheduled for this Saturday, Anifah said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/south-china-sea-likely-on-asean-agenda


-- Thai PBS 2015-11-19

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/china-opposes-debate-on-south-china-sea/3061981.html

China says a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is no place to talk about Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

China says it will oppose attempts to make its island-building activities the main subject at the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Malaysia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/03/us-asean-malaysia-china-idUSKCN0Q80VV20150803#4Qf4ijc0jMk6xzuM.97

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Monday the disputed South China Sea should not be discussed at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Liu, speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, which kicks off in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, said the meetings should avoid all talk on the sensitive issue, adding that countries outside ASEAN should not interfere

With overlapping claims of several of the ASEAN member states, it would seem to me, that the unilateral sovereignty claims over 80 - 90% of the South China Sea by China is best addressed by ASEAN.

With overlapping claims of several of the ASEAN member states, it would seem to me, that the unilateral sovereignty claims over 80 - 90% of the South China Sea by China is best addressed by ASEAN.

Agreed. But this isn't what China wants. They know their claim won't stand up under scrutiny.