China wants South China Sea out of ASEAN defense forum statement

In the midst of escalating tensions at the South China Sea, the meeting of defense ministers of South Asian countries is emanating mixed signals to the world. In the latest updates, China is lobbying with its regional counterparts to omit any reference of South China Sea from the statement that is to be issued after the meeting, hosted by Malaysia, is concluded.

The US Navy patrol has irked Chinese government over the encroachment of their international naval borders, whereas the US maintains a strong freedom-of-navigation stance, claiming its commitment to freedom of navigation in international waters. Hence, the Chinese government is pushing for a joint statement of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting to not have any mention of the South China Sea or any of Chinese man-made islets.

“The reason is because the Chinese lobbied to keep any reference to the South China Sea out of the final joint declaration,” a senior U.S. defense official said on condition of anonymity.”Understandably a number of ASEAN countries‎ felt that was inappropriate. It reflects the divide China’s reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea has caused in the region.”

“This was an ASEAN decision but in our view no statement is better than one that avoids the important issue of China’s reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea,” he added.

The rising concern over the Chinese claimed parts of the sea has been one of the core reasons for the meeting which exerts substantial pressure on Malaysian defense ministry to prepare the statement that is to the liking of all the parties included.

The ASEAN meeting is a forum for Southeast Asian countries to ensure peace and stability in the said region. Among the regional members of the consortium, the US, for obvious reasons, Australia, India and Japan were invited as well.

While Beijing is working hard to oust any reference of the South China Sea, the United States and Japan are calling for the opposite. Chinese government had made it clear earlier this year that it does not want the Sea to be discussed at the meeting. However, under the current circumstances, it is the 800-pound gorilla in the room that needs to be addressed.

In the latest updates, all the parties have however, agreed to a simple mention of the South China Sea in the statement. The Philippines, who has always taken a strong stance against the Chinese Naval presence in the Sea and recently took its grievances to the Hague Tribunal, is content with the agreement.

“It’s better than not having it in the document, but of course we could have a better statement,” a Philippines defense official said.”As of last night, it was there, so we are happy. I hope the South China Sea issue stays there until it is finally issued.”

The US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter held a meeting with the Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to discuss the escalation of the South China Sea issue.

The Chinese released a statement after the meeting.

“The Chinese people and military will not stand for any infringements of China’s sovereignty and relevant interests,” the statement said. “We urge the United States to put a stop to all its mistaken words and deeds, and not take any other dangerous moves which threaten China’s sovereignty and security interests.”