ASEAN countries retract statement expressing concerns on South China Sea

National flags and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) logo on display ahead of the 27th ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 18, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Southeast Asian countries withdrew a statement that expressed the region's deep concerns over tension in the South China Sea, where China is involved in protracted territorial disputes with some of its neighbours.

The strongly-worded statement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), released by the Malaysian foreign ministry, did not name China directly but warned against raising tension in the waters, where Beijing has been building artificial islands and increasing its military presence.