Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have expressed serious concern about developments in the South China Sea, where China’s construction of artificial islands has fueled tensions with other claimants. Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, who hosted the meeting yesterday, said the ministers renewed their call for the “expeditious establishment of an effective Code of Conduct” that will govern behavior in the disputed area. Ten Southeast Asian heads of state and nine world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, are meeting in Malaysia to discuss disputes over the South China Sea as well as trade issues and terrorism.

Asean ministers express serious concern on seas. (2015, November 21). The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 14.