China calls for direct negotiations on South China Sea disputes

In late October, the US Navy’s USS Lassen passed through a 12-mile limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago, claimed by China.

He emphasised that Russian air strikes are more effective than those of the US-led coalition because “you can not fight terrorism with air strikes alone”. The “nine-dash line” clearly disregards the sovereignty of smaller nations in favor of China’s own geopolitical interests.

The annual season of summitry, which began a week ago in Turkey for the Group of 20 meeting, and continued with regional forums in Manila and Kuala Lumpur, has been overshadowed by the string of recent deadly extremist attacks.

Obama also backed ASEAN’s calls for progress with China on agreeing on a code of conduct at sea to prevent conflict. So far, China has been very obstinate about discussing its territorial claims. Li told the gathering that countries “from outside the region” should stop inflaming tensions over maritime disputes.

China planned to “expand and upgrade” the civilian facilities on the islands “to better serve commercial ships, fishermen, to help distressed vessels and provide more public services”, Mr Liu said, adding that China rejected the notion that it was militarising the South China Sea.

Washington has said the move was meant to stress the right to free passage in waters China claims, but Liu called it a “political provocation”.

“Japan is our key partner in the region for Australia”.

China will buy more Malaysian government bonds and give the country a 50 billion yuan (S$11.1 billion) quota to invest in Chinese stocks and bonds as it looks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia. Many fear that China is attempting to bulk up its claims with building projects and is willing to back up those claims with military force.

This weekend Japan’s foreign and defense ministers reiterated concerns about China’s strengthening position in the South China Sea as they pressed the case, according to Bloomberg, for their Australian counterparts to buy a new generation of submarines made by Japanese defense contractors. With USA support, the Philippines is now engaged in a legal challenge to Chinese claims in the South China Sea. Japan, in cooperation with the United States, must support the development of ASEAN as a whole.

The Philippines also entered an official maritime partnership with Vietnam. After reaching a defence equipment agreement with Aquino last week, Abe said he would consider a Philippine request for Japan to supply “large patrol vessels”.

The US and others have called on Beijing to halt the construction, saying they are destabilizing an increasingly militarized region. He urged Li not to “fall into a Thucydides Trap”-a reference to the wars in ancient Greece between a rising Athens and Sparta, an established power”.

Li’s statements came after the US decision to send military ships and warplanes in the South China Sea to assert the country’s “freedom of navigation”.

The leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations have formally created the ASEAN Economic Community at a summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

All related countries should make joint efforts to maintain safety and stability in this region, he added.

“Some major countries outside the region are exercising their so-called freedom of navigation by sending airplanes and warships while strengthening military cooperation with countries in the region”.