01 November 2012

News Story: 'Sense of urgency' in S. China Sea row - ASEAN chief


Disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea could become violent but China and Southeast Asia are showing a sense of urgency in trying to ease tensions, the ASEAN chief said Tuesday.

Regional divisions about how to handle China on the issue prevented the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from issuing a joint statement after a July summit in Phnom Penh for the first time in its 45-year history.

But ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said "good signs" were emerging from informal talks this week in the Thai resort of Pattaya between the 10-nation bloc and China.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily