Multilateral forums not the right place for discussing sea disputes

AT THE ONGOING 48TH Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said his country would promote a proposal which the United States made earlier for all claimants to halt reclamation, construction and any aggressive actions that could heighten tensions in the South China Sea. Comments:

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting is not a proper platform for discussing the South China Sea issues, specifically the territorial disputes. It has been proved many times that attempts to raise such disputes at a multilateral forum do not help resolve the underlying issues. On the contrary, more serious confrontations and clashes may emerge afterwards.

Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister, Aug 3