PHNOM PENH: Southeast Asian nations displayed a rare show of unity yesterday against China’s sweeping maritime claims, calling for the first formal talks with Beijing over a sea dispute that has raised tensions and exposed deep divisions in the region.
As Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Cambodia for meetings with Southeast Asian leaders, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) appeared determined to avoid a repeat of an embarrassing breakdown of talks in July over competing claims in the mineral-rich South China Sea, its biggest security challenge.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen will tell Wen that Asean wants to begin talks on a binding Code of Conduct, aimed at reducing the chance of naval flashpoints, as soon as possible, Asean Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan told reporters.
“Prime Minister Hun Sen himself will be discussing with the PM of China tonight and delivering this consensus on the Asean side,” Surin said.
“They would like to see the commencement of the discussion as soon as possible because this is an issue of interest, concern and worry of the international community.”
China’s assertive claims in the South China Sea have sown deep divisions within the bloc at a time when military spending in the region is surging and the United States refocuses attention on Asia — a “pivot” that President Barack Obama will reinforce on his visit to the summit today in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
Reuters
