ASEAN delays concluding Code of Conduct with China

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The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have postponed concluding negotiations with China on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have postponed concluding negotiations with China on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The ASEAN leaders held a summit meeting on Sunday in the Philippines' capital, Manila.

They agreed not to seek conclusion of the negotiations with China by the end of this year, citing continuing discussions on some major issues.

The Philippines, this year's ASEAN chair, had been aiming to conclude the pact before year-end, which is designed to prevent conflict in the South China Sea.

At a news conference after the summit, Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro noted that ASEAN and China have provisionally agreed on more than 80 percent of the points of contention. But she added that there are still some "very sensitive issues."

Regarding Myanmar's full-fledged return to main ASEAN meetings, another focus of attention, NHK has learned from ASEAN sources that the leaders also postponed reaching a decision due to differences of views among member countries.

Referring to the situation in Myanmar, Lazaro pointed out that bombings are still continuing and many Myanmar people are being displaced.

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