ASEAN ALARM OVER CHINA SEA SPAT

MYANMAR, May 12, 2014 (AFP) - Southeast Asian leaders have expressed “serious concern” over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, according to a statement released Monday, amid a growing row between Vietnam and Beijing over contested waters.

The communique from the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) follows a summit on Sunday that was dominated by escalating maritime ten- sions.

“We expressed serious concerns over the ongoing developments in the South China Sea,” the statement said.

ASEAN called on all parties involved to “exercise self-restraint, not to resort to threat(s) or use of force, and to resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law”.

The ASEAN meeting came just days after both Vietnam and the Philippines squared off against China in different areas of the disputed sea, which is

home to key shipping lanes and thought to contain huge energy reserves.

Observers say the statement marks a change of tone by the regional bloc, many of whose members have close economic and political ties with China.

A worker walks past poster-covered pillars outside the venue of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Myanmar. (AFP)