Progress on South China Sea creates room for Asean to focus on key issues

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations draws both admirers and detractors, and the recent ministerial meeting hosted by Brunei provided ample evidence for each view. While there were signs of positive movement, thorny obstacles lie on the path ahead. This is especially so on the South China Sea disputes discussed at the Asean Regional Forum.

The issue is a potential landmine, not just between the four Asean member states that have overlapping claims with China. Overall unity can be affected, as witnessed at last year's meeting in Cambodia, where agreement on a statement could not be reached due to sensitivities.

In the months since, the situation has not improved and, indeed, seems worse. At this month's meeting, the Philippines released a statement of its concerns that the South China Sea is being increasingly militarised.

China's new foreign minister, Wang Yi , attending his first Asean Regional Forum, rebutted the accusations and made suggestions to tap the maritime security co-operation fund between Asean and China for co-operation on areas like navigation safety and biodiversity.

Brunei, as the grouping's chair, has worked hard to calm things, and it is a notable step forward that consultations on a code of conduct will proceed. Senior officials are due to meet in September. They should commence to outline principles and practical measures.

But there are already cautionary notes. The upcoming meeting is termed a "consultation", and not a "negotiation". An "eminent persons and experts group" will also be convened - which sounds helpful but might be a distraction. It remains to be seen whether the official process will move speedily, or degenerate into a diplomatic quagmire.

What the Brunei meeting gives is not a solution but breathing space. Moreover, the South China Sea issue should not be the sole measure of Asean's progress. There is a wider agenda of community building and economic integration, as well as the effort to be a central player in the Asia-Pacific region. Here are three approaches that Asean should consider, on top of the code of conduct.