China appreciates Putin’s position on South China Sea issue

There was no reference during the talks to a recent ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated China’s claims to the waterway and has incensed Beijing. The arbitration ruling “helped clarify maritime rights in the region”. He urged ASEAN nations to work constructively with each other to lower tensions and promote regional stability.

The East Asia Summit in Laos capped a flurry of high-profile diplomatic events in Asia that began with the summit of the Group of 20 major countries held in Hangzhou, China.

Running counter to the trend of solving disputes through dialogue and consultation, only two countries outside the region proposed pushing the so-called South China Sea “arbitration” at the summit.

He did not elaborate, but such wording is typically used by Chinese leaders to refer to not allowing countries from outside the region with no direct involvement in the dispute, like the United States, from getting involved.

China’s claim that it has historical rights to most of the South China Sea is unacceptable under worldwide rules. That has pitted it against the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all members of ASEAN, which have overlapping claims.

Obama said that he was “determined to do everything I can to get the U.S. Congress to approve TPP before I leave office”, saying that the controversial economic free trade deal would be important for Asia, not just the United States.

China, the strongest power in the region has continued to re-claim land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and building airfields and port facilities – while objecting to what it calls “interference” from countries outside.

Obama’s remarks come a week after the Philippines reported that China begun its construction on the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Abe’s statement was based on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge a year ago that China “has no intention to push militarization” of the artificial islands.

China on Thursday reacted to recent pronouncements of US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the South China Sea.

The two leaders made some steps toward clearing the air late on Wednesday, however, chatting briefly, and exchanging pleasantries as they prepared to take their seats at a leaders’ dinner.

If China did build an island at the shoal, it could lead to a military outpost just 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the main Philippine island, where U.S. forces are stationed.

Washington says it has no position on the territorial disputes but wants to ensure freedom of navigation.

Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago – another strategically important location – has already triggered various U.S. military shows of strength.

It was, at best, a respite in long-running tensions between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours and the ruling has become a new starting point for China’s rival claimants to move forward, analysts said.

While ASEAN may have acquiesced to China’s demands not to mention the PCA verdict in any joint statement, there were indications the grouping’s position has stiffened somewhat amid reports China is rapidly militarizing numerous islands, reefs and atolls it claims.