A Southeast Asian summit will urge "self-restraint" in the South China Sea but avoid directly criticizing Chinese actions that have fanned tensions in the contested waters, a diplomatic source with knowledge of a draft statement said today. Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather in Malaysia on Monday for an annual meeting expected to include discussion of efforts underway by China to create islands on fragile coral reefs whose ownership is disputed. The actions have outraged the Philippines and added to regional concerns over Beijing's assertion of sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea.

Summit to urge 'self-restraint' in South China Sea dispute. (2015, April 25). The Philippine Star, p. 5.