Southeast Asian countries expressed concern yesterday over "increased tensions" in the South China Sea and called for stepped-up talks with China, in what the United States said was a setback for Beijing's efforts to play down the disputes. But there was no specific mention of China in the final statement from an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting and the 10 nations did not take up a United States and Philippine call for a freeze on provocative acts in the sea. A senior US official said ASEAN countries' concern over China's maritime actions was at an "all-time high" based on private conservations, although their public statements more guarded to avoid antagonizing China.

Asean calls for restraint in sea row: but no call for freeze on provocative acts. (2014, August 11). The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 8.