Philippines urges Asean to stop China's land reclamation in South China Sea

The Philippines yesterday urged its fellow Southeast Asian countries to take immediate steps to halt land reclamation by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, warning that failure to do so will see Beijing take "de facto control" of the area.

Malaysia's foreign minister, however, said that the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations would avoid any confrontations with China and continue negotiations with Beijing on a binding code of conduct that would govern behaviour in the area.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told a meeting of Asean foreign ministers that if China's construction of artificial islands on reefs claimed by other countries is allowed to be completed, Beijing will impose its claim over more than 85 per cent of the sea. Rosario urged the grouping to "stand up" to China by urging it to halt its reclamation work, which threatened to militarise the region, infringe on rights of other states and damage the marine environment.

He warned that China, which has been dragging its foot on Asean's push for a code of conduct, will aim to complete its reclamation activities before it agrees to conclude the code. If this happens, he said the code would legitimise China's reclamation work.

"The threats posed by these massive reclamations are real and cannot be ignored or denied," he said. "Asean should assert its leadership, centrality and solidarity. Asean must show the world that it has the resolve to act in the common interest."

Asean has maintained a cautious stand in the dispute.