Southeast Asian leaders are set to avoid references to a recent arbitration ruling that undermined China's claims to the South China Sea, after omitting it from a joint statement at a summit this week over which Beijing's influence looms large. A draft communique of the Asean statement reported Monday by Reuters listed eight points related to the South China Sea, but made no mention of a high-profile July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated Beijing's territorial claims. The decision to exclude reference to the ruling represents a diplomatic victory for China, following Asean's decision at its last meeting in July to turn down a US-backed proposal to include the landmark ruling in the text.

Asean to skirt mention of South China Sea ruling. (2016, September 7). Malaya Business Insight, pp. B5, B6.