China appeared to rebuff pressure from the United States to rein in its assertive actions in the South China Sea on Sunday as Southeast Asian nations declined to overtly back Washington’s proposal for a freeze on provocative acts.
The lack of progress in resolving the maritime tensions at Asia’s highest-profile diplomatic meeting so far this year shows the tough task Washington faces in persuading smaller Asian nations to risk antagonising the region’s rising power.
Foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) released a statement expressing concern over “increased tensions” and called for stepped-up talks with China, in what U.S. officials said was a setback for Beijing’s efforts to play down the disputes.
Read Full Article HERE
bljworldwide via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1uHHcUa
No comments:
Post a Comment