WASHINGTON, USA- US urges Asean to confront China on maritime claims

The United States is urging Asean to take China to task over its expansive maritime claims during regional summits to be held in Bangkok this weekend, Asean diplomatic sources said on Friday.

They said the US has penned a “non-paper” urging Asean members to “protest China’s expansive and unlawful maritime claims” in the South China Sea in front of China’s representatives at the meetings in Bangkok.

The sources said the US delegation itself will raise the issue at those meetings in which it will participate, including the East Asia Summit that comprises Asean and its eight dialogue partners that also include China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India and Russia.

US President Donald Trump has decided to skip the annual meeting, to be held Sunday, and to instead send his national security adviser Robert O’Brien and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

The move has caused concern over lack of US engagement in the region at a time when China’s influence is growing. Most other countries will be represented by their prime ministers or presidents, with China sending Premier Li Keqiang.

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The US position on the South China Sea is that freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the waters are crucial to efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

It views China’s claim to almost the entire sea, including areas claimed by several Asean countries, as unlawful — partly citing the Philippines’ landmark victory in 2016 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, which ruled that China’s sweeping claims have no legal basis.

Regarding a “code of conduct” in the South China Sea being negotiated by Asean and China, Washington wants Asean members to ensure it does not limit their choices, lock out other partners or weaken international law, according to the sources.