Update | Asean has ‘serious concerns’ over South China Sea disputes – or does it?

There was confusion at the end of a meeting of foreign ministers from Southeast Asia and China, with an initial statement by Asean expressing “serious concerns” over recent developments in the disputed South China Sea retracted late last night

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations initially said the disputes should be resolved without resorting to threat or use of force, and stressed the importance of maintaining peace, security and freedom of navigation.

“We expressed our serious concerns over recent and ongoing developments, which have eroded trust and confidence, ­increased tensions and which may have the potential to undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea,” a ­communique by the foreign ministers of the bloc said without identifying China.

But late last night, a Malaysian foreign ministry spokesperson told Agence France-Presse that the bloc had retracted the statement “as there are urgent amendments to be made”.