KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - China is lobbying Southeast Asian nations to drop any reference to concerns over the South China Sea in a statement to be issued after regional defence talks in Malaysia, a diplomatic push that reflects growing tension over China's man-made islands.China's push could cast into doubt a signing ceremony traditionally held with ministers of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) set for Wednesday afternoon, a senior U.S. defence official said. "The reason is because the Chinese lobbied to keep any reference to the South China Sea out of the final joint declaration," the senior U.S. defence official said early on Wednesday, on condition of anonymity.
"Understandably a number of ASEAN countries? felt that was inappropriate. It reflects the divide China's reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea has caused in the region." The U.S. official added, "This was an ASEAN decision but in our view no statement is better than one that avoids the important issue of China's reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea." Wednesday's gathering brings together the 10 southeast Asian defence ministers, along with ministers from countries such as the Australia, China, India, Japan and the United States.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
