ASEAN secretary displays personal bias

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW, LE LUONG MINH, current secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said China's nine-dash line delineating its sovereignty in the South China Sea is "not binding", and that China's "illegal occupation" of islands and isles had affected the status quo and complicated the situation. Comments:

Mr Le Luong Minh has repeatedly made biased comments on the issue of the South China Sea. These were untrue and incompatible with his position as ASEAN secretary-general. China has abundant historical and legal evidence of its sovereignty and claims in the South China Sea ... Instead of promoting self-interest through his public position, he should fulfill his duties, stick to ASEAN's neutral stance on the issue, and do more to promote the healthy development of China-ASEAN relations.

Hong Lei, spokesperson for Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 11