SINGAPORE—The Philippines has told major global powers that Southeast Asia was not a “proxy” for superpower rivalries, as Washington and Beijing compete for influence in the region. ADVERTISEMENT“As host … we will have to remind our friends, firmly if necessary, not to use Asean as a proxy for their rivalry,” Lorenzana said at the Fullerton Forum. “We will reaffirm the unity and solidarity of Asean amidst this emerging superpower competition. We will also work for the finalization of a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea,” he added. Previous Asean meetings have been marred by disunity on how to deal with Beijing over the South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 24, 2017 20:10 UTC