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Agence France-Presse in Phnom Penh

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told Southeast Asian leaders on Monday that negotiations to end territorial disputes in the South China Sea should only be held between claimant countries.
Wen stressed Beijing’s position during a summit with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.
Qin said Wen quoted from a 2002 deal reached between Asean and China in which they agreed to limit negotiations to “directly concerned” countries.
Wen said that among the principles under the 10-year-old declaration is to “oppose the internationalisation of the issue”.
“So Premier Wen quoted the principles... enshrined in the declaration,” according to Qin.
Asean members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, have claims to parts of the sea, which is also believed to be rich in fossil fuels.
But China insists it has sovereign rights to virtually all of the sea.
Tensions have risen steadily over the past two years, with the Philippines and Vietnam accusing China of increasingly aggressive diplomatic tactics to stake its claims.
The Philippines has consistently sought wider help, such as from close ally the United States, in dealing with its more powerful Asian neighbour on the South China Sea issue.
The controversy of “internationalisation” flared again in Phnom Penh this week with the Philippines insisting it should not have to confine its negotiations to just with China.
US President Barack Obama, who arrived in Phnom Penh on Monday night for an 18-nation East Asia Summit, was also expected to raise his concerns over the South China Sea, which would anger the Chinese but embolden the Philippines.


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Wen Jiabao

China opposes sea row ‘internationalisation’

China's Premier Wen Jiabao (centre) walks between Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda at the Asean summit in Phnom Penh on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Southeast Asian nations feud over China

China's Premier Wen Jiabao (left), Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (centre) and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Phnom Penh on Monday. Photo: AP

Obama arrives in Cambodia for Asean summit

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen greets US President Barack Obama ahead of the Asean-US leaders meeting in Phnom Penh on Monday. Photo: AP 

US President Barack Obama arrives at Phnom Penh International Airport with Hillary Clinton on Monday. Photo: AFP

Asean summit unlikely to seal code of conduct with China

Cambodian paramilitary officers stand guard at Phnom Penh International Airport as the country hosts the 21st Asean summit.Photo: EPA

News

China

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told Southeast Asian leaders on Monday that negotiations to end territorial disputes in the South China Sea should only be held between claimant countries.
