US to work with Asean for peaceful resolution to South China Sea dispute

RANCHO MIRAGE (California): President Barack Obama has called for “tangible steps” to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, after a two-day summit with South-East Asian leaders concerned at Beijing’s military build-up.

“We discussed the need for tangible steps in the South China Sea to lower tensions,” Obama said after the meeting yesterday, calling for “a halt to further reclamation, new construction and militarisation of disputed areas”.