AFP
NUSA DUA, Indonesia — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday praised China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for agreeing on guidelines aimed at defusing tensions over the South China Sea.
"I want to commend China and ASEAN for working so closely together to include implementation guidelines for the declaration of conduct in the South China Sea," Clinton said before meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Clinton and Yang met on the Indonesian resort island of Bali a day ahead of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's premier security dialogue that also includes senior ministers from Southeast Asia, Japan, the Koreas, Russia and Australia.
One of the most pressing diplomatic issues in Asia in recent months has been a rise in tensions among rival claimants to the South China Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits and home to shipping lanes vital to global trade.
China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims to all or parts of the South China Sea.
Tensions in the decades-long dispute flared amid accusations by the Philippines and Vietnam that China was being increasingly aggressive in staking its claim to the entire sea.
But China and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced on Wednesday in Bali a "breakthrough" in the dispute, endorsing a set of guidelines designed to reduce tensions in the waters.
China told the United States on Friday to respect Chinese "territorial integrity", amid simmering tensions focused on the South China Sea.
Yang made the comments to Clinton during a bilateral meeting, according to a spokesman from China's delegation.
"The Chinese side raised its own concerns, which is that it is important to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China," spokesman Liu Weiming said.
"And to respect China's major concerns in the issues of Tibet and some other sensitive issues. I sense that the US side understands the sensitivity of these issues and they agreed to further promote dialogue and mutual understanding."
Liu said Yang and Clinton specifically discussed the South China Sea, which China claims as its own.
"The conclusion of the guidelines... is of great significance and it will go a long way (to help) peace and stability in this region," Yang said.
"(It will also help) the proper handling and the settlement of the disputes among the claimants."
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told reporters earlier Friday that the United States believed the guidelines were a circuit breaker, but much more needed to be done.
"It's an important first step. It has lowered the tensions, improved atmospherics," Campbell said.
"But clearly it's just that: a first step, and we're going to need to see follow-on interactions between China and ASEAN."
12 comments:
To Mr Sam Rainsy,
Did you sue Hun Sen as you said to us Cambodian people through Radio and media?
If you are genuine please provide us the evidences that you had sued Hun Sen as you said so far.
Show us the real evidences so far that you sue Hun Sen, Mr Sam Rainsy.
Thanks
To Mr Sam Rainsy,
Did you sue Hun Sen as you said to us Cambodian people through Radio and media?
If you are genuine please provide us the evidences that you had sued Hun Sen as you said so far.
Show us the real evidences so far that you sue Hun Sen through KI Media, Mr Sam Rainsy.
Thanks
To Mr Sam Rainsy,
Did you sue Hun Sen as you said to us Cambodian people through Radio and media?
If you are genuine please provide us the evidences that you had sued Hun Sen as you said so far.
Show us the real evidences so far that you sue Hun Sen through KI Media, Mr Sam Rainsy.
Thanks
To Mr Sam Rainsy,
Did you sue Hun Sen as you said to us Cambodian people through Radio and media?
If you are genuine please provide us the evidences that you had sued Hun Sen as you said so far.
Show us the real evidences so far that you sue Hun Sen through KI Media, Mr Sam Rainsy.
Thanks
We need to celebrate our January Seventh, and importantly remember we shall mark this momentous day in our hearts until we exit this world, particularly when there's foreign element involvement.
Pi Anh
Pi Anh! Are you Vietnamese, sir?
7:31 PM
What difference does make "who" or "what" I am?
Who am I? I'm just ordinary person who has extraordinary view of the world, and hiding my identity just like yourself and others. Further, I'm not sorry for not divulging my identity; however, I'm willing to expatiate my standpoint and idea on the world view, at the same time, challenge the opposition leader's supporters.
On a lighter note, remember that the chances of reclaiming Khmer Krom are less than zero (0).
By the way, if you happen to live in the stat of Minnesota, I'm keeping an eye on Mr. Keo Chan and his pal, Dr. Chang (he's a Khmer Krom).
Pi Anh
8:33 PM
FBI CIA will keep full eyes on who is Pi Anh and his families.
Pi Anh is Hun Manet.
No! No! No1 Pi Anh is Hun Mani
May be Pi Anh is Hun Mana!
Don't worry must be the group of CPP traitor who sell out Cambodia and make all Cambodian people suffer everyday.
long live Khmer Krom!
Long live Sam Rainsy!
Traitors CPP small group!
9:41 PM
I'm not the one who tries destabilizing the country. Plus, peace and stability have been attained.
Pi Anh
dAeR aLl:
kHmEr kRoM wIlL nEvEr bE rEcLaImEd. PERIOD.
Pi Anh
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