South China Sea

Tension between the US and China has risen again as the two countries clash on how to handle competing claims to the South China Sea. China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said on Friday that "outside forces" had no reason to get involved in the complicated maritime dispute in a veiled warning to the US.

"It ought to be resolved through friendly consultations and discussions by countries directly involved," Wen told a meeting with Southeast Asian leaders on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei all claim parts of the South China Sea, which is a major trade route and is believed to encompass huge oil and gas reserves. One third of global seaborne trade passes through the region.

'Here to stay'

This year there have been several tense maritime stand-offs, amid complaints that China is becoming more aggressive in asserting its territorial claims.

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged all claimants not to resort to intimidation, in an equally veiled warning to China.

The United States, for which the South China Sea is a vitally important trading route, have repeatedly suggested raising the issue the ASEAN and East Asia summits on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, despite Beijing’s reluctance.

Before coming to Bali, US President Obama in Australia said that "America was here to stay" in the region, pointing out that the US military would expand its Asia-Pacific role despite budget cuts.

Observers think the US is trying to reassert its leadership to counter China’s growing influence around the Pacific Rim and to reassure allies such as South Korea and Japan that it will remain a strong counterweight.

Japan boosts ties with ASEAN

Japan, which is wary of China's rising clout, also wants to deepen its ties with Southeast Asian nations. On Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihoko Noda offered support for 33 flagship infrastructures in the region. "It will create some two trillion yen worth of business opportunities," said a Japanese foreign ministry official at a press conference after the Japan-ASEAN summit.

Noda also proposed holding a multilateral conference on maritime cooperation that would be open to East Asia Summit officials as well as the private sector.

In a joint declaration for enhancing their strategic partnership, Japanese and Southeast Asian leaders said they would "promote and deepen ASEAN-Japan cooperation on maritime security and safety in the region in accordance with universally-agreed principles of international law."

However, Japan also said it would not interfere with the South China Sea dispute and called for a peaceful resolution.

Author: Anne Thomas (Reuters, AFP, AP)
Editor: Shamil Shams