US nudges China on sea disputes

July 01, 2013 19:24

US Secretary of State John Kerry nudged China today to agree a code of conduct to prevent clashes in the South China Sea after the Philippines accused Beijing of a "massive" military build-up.

But Kerry, speaking at Asia-Pacific foreign ministerial talks in the tiny petro-state of Brunei, said after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart that the two Pacific powers were united in their opposition to North Korea's nuclear drive.

A year after a US-backed push for a South China Sea code of conduct broke down acrimoniously, this year's hosts Brunei have instilled a more cordial tone, with China agreeing yesterday to hold talks on establishing such a code.

"We very much hope to see progress on a substantive code of conduct to help ensure stability in this vital region," Kerry said at a meeting with foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Overlapping claims to the South China Sea loom as a flashpoint, with China claiming virtually all of the body of water, drawing accusations from rival claimants the Philippines and Vietnam that it is mounting a creeping takeover of disputed islets.

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