Asean demands maritime talks
- Published: 19 Nov 2012 at 00.00
- Newspaper section: News
PHNOM PENH : Southeast Asian nations displayed a rare show of unity yesterday against China's sweeping maritime claims, calling for the first formal talks with Beijing over a sea dispute that has raised tensions and exposed deep divisions in the region.
As Chinese premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Cambodia for meetings with Southeast Asian leaders, the 10-member Asean bloc appeared determined to avoid a repeat of an embarrassing breakdown of talks in July over competing territorial claims in the mineral-rich South China Sea.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen will tell Mr Wen that Asean wants to begin talks to develop a binding code of conduct, aimed at reducing the chance of naval flashpoints, as soon as possible, Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said.
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