Asean calls for restraint in South China Sea

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chairing a video meeting with foreign ministers from the Association of South-East Nations (Asean) countries in Hanoi, Vietnam during the weekend. - Reuters

JAKARTA, Sept 13 (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Every year, 10-nation Asean prides itself on being able to convene major powers with interests in Southeast Asia, offering a stage for diplomatic rivalries and geopolitical dynamics to play out.

This year is no different, even though Vietnam as chair of the bloc has had to move the four-day summitry online as a result of the current pandemic. Among the most contentious issues on the agenda is the South China Sea dispute, which has become the flashpoint for escalating tensions between the United States and China in the region.