NAYPYITAW: The South China Sea territorial dispute continues to be a hot topic at the 25th Asean Summit that began here yesterday as leaders of the grouping are expected to address the issue in a statement to be issued by current Asean chair, Myanmar, today.
The dispute is made more complex with China, one of the claimant countries, flexing its muscle in the disputed area and geopolitical rivalry in Asia between Beijing and Washington.
According to an AFP report, Asean leaders are expected to express concern over recent developments in the South China Sea area, also claimed by Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Tensions over the dispute flared up most recently in May when China sent an oil drilling rig to waters claimed by Vietnam, triggering anti-China riots in the country.
US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang are both meeting Asean leaders in separate meetings here.