ASEAN meet led by Singapore takes up South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA is back in the discussion table among Southeast Asian countries as foreign ministers gathered in Singapore on Thursday for the 51st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meetings.

In a draft communique circulated among journalists on Thursday, ASEAN foreign ministers “took note of the concerns” raised by countries regarding the land reclamation activities in South China Sea.

“We discussed the matters relating to the South China Sea and took note of the concerns expressed in some countries on the land reclamations in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region,” the draft document read.

The Philippines held the chairmanship in the regional bloc last year, with Southeast Asian leaders also discussing the South China Sea where the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei are claimants in the disputed waters.

The 2017 ASEAN chairman’s statement dropped the reference of “concerns” over China’s militarization activities in the South China Sea.

“We discussed the matters relating to the South China Sea and took note of the improving relations between ASEAN and China,” the 2017 ASEAN chairman’s statement stated.

Meanwhile, last year’s joint communique of ASEAN foreign ministers read: “We discussed extensively the matters relating to the South China Sea and took note of the concerns expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations and activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region.”

Southeast Asian foreign ministers also “warmly welcomed” the improving ties between ASEAN and China, which encouraged negotiations for an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (CoC). The Philippines is the new country coordinator for ASEANChina dialogue relations.

They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and stability as well as the freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.

The joint communique is set to be presented on Saturday as the annual gathering among ASEAN foreign ministers concludes.

Aside from the South China Sea issue, foreign ministers also discussed the summit meeting last month between the United States and the host city of Singapore, where statements were made, including by Washington, that stepped up pressure on China’s militarization of the South China Sea.

The ministers urged the US and Singapore to continue pursuing peace and stability as well as a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.