(BGF) – Southeast Asian foreign ministers voiced “serious concerns” over naval clashes between Vietnam and China, and the regional group’s top official urged Beijing to step up efforts to advance talks on maritime security. Nevertheless, China’s foreign ministry, in a statement late on Saturday May 10, said the issue was not “a problem between China and ASEAN”, the Reuters reported.
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Sea row not a problem between China and Southeast Asia group, Beijing says
ASEAN leaders pose for pictures during the opening ceremony of the 24th ASEAN Summit in Naypyidaw May 11, 2014
(Photo Credit: the Reuters)
(Reuters) – The South China Sea dispute is not a problem between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China opposes certain member states trying to use it to sow discord, its foreign ministry said.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers voiced “serious concerns” on Saturday over naval clashes between Vietnam and China as the regional group’s top official urged Beijing to step up efforts to advance talks on maritime security.
Foreign ministers and heads of state of the 10-member ASEAN are facing a test of unity at their summit this weekend in Myanmar as some members express alarm over China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and push for a strong joint statement.
China’s foreign ministry, in a statement late on Saturday, said the issue was not “a problem between China and ASEAN”.
“The Chinese side is always opposed to certain countries’ attempts to use the South Sea issue to harm the overall friendship and cooperation between China and the ASEAN,” the ministry said, in apparent reference to Vietnam and the Philippines, two of the most vocal countries on the dispute.
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