By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — A draft Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairman statement shows that the regional bloc is gradually accepting that the South China Sea has become "China's lake," an analyst said.
Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor at University of New South Wales in Canberra, said that President Rodrigo Duterte, as this year's ASEAN chair, missed the opportunity to insert a reference to the ruling issued by a United Nations-backed tribunal on the disputed waters.
"In sum, although some ASEAN ministers feel progress is being made on managing maritime disputes in the South China Sea, the reality is that ASEAN is gradually accepting that the South China Sea has become China’s lake," Thayer said in an analysis released by his firm.
The draft statement dropped any mention of "non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities including land reclamation" which was included in last year's chairman's statement.
"We shared the serious concerns expressed by some leaders over recent developments and escalation of activities in the area which may further raise tensions and erode trust and confidence in the region," the current draft read.
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