Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters on May 11 thatASEAN must have a view because the security and stability of the regiondepend on what happens in the East Sea.
According to Singapore media, PM Lee commended the foreignministers of the 10 ASEAN member states for issuing a joint statement onMay 10 that called for the involved parties to exercise self-restraintand settle disputes through peaceful means.
Withregards to China ’s statement that the East Sea issue is not aproblem between China and ASEAN, he said this has always been China’s stand as it sees the disputes as a bilateral issue with therespective countries.
The PM was quoted bythe Singapore media as saying that ASEAN has to take an overall viewon the disputes “because it is happening on our doorstep”.
“Thatis why the ASEAN foreign ministers put out a statement, and that isSingapore 's consistent, long-held and long-expressed position also,”he added.
On how realistic it would be for Chinato want to conclude a code of conduct in the East Sea, talks for whichstarted three years ago, Lee said “China has agreed to start talkingabout it, so that is the first step.”
Earlier, onMay 10, speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Summitin Myanmar, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said thereshould be peace and no mishaps for the benefit of the entire region,stressing the urgency for adopting the COC.-VNA
According to Singapore media, PM Lee commended the foreignministers of the 10 ASEAN member states for issuing a joint statement onMay 10 that called for the involved parties to exercise self-restraintand settle disputes through peaceful means.
Withregards to China ’s statement that the East Sea issue is not aproblem between China and ASEAN, he said this has always been China’s stand as it sees the disputes as a bilateral issue with therespective countries.
The PM was quoted bythe Singapore media as saying that ASEAN has to take an overall viewon the disputes “because it is happening on our doorstep”.
“Thatis why the ASEAN foreign ministers put out a statement, and that isSingapore 's consistent, long-held and long-expressed position also,”he added.
On how realistic it would be for Chinato want to conclude a code of conduct in the East Sea, talks for whichstarted three years ago, Lee said “China has agreed to start talkingabout it, so that is the first step.”
Earlier, onMay 10, speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Summitin Myanmar, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said thereshould be peace and no mishaps for the benefit of the entire region,stressing the urgency for adopting the COC.-VNA
