BANGKOK: Beijing said Sunday it is “ready to work” with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the flashpoint South China Sea, where it is accused of bullying fellow claimants and building up military installations. The agreement, set to be finished in 2021, will set out conduct guidelines for the sea along with conflict resolution parameters. --fotoBERNAMA (2019) COPYRIGHTS RESERVEDHe added that China wanted to “maintain and uphold long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea.”Tensions have flared in recent weeks between China and Vietnam, one of Beijing’s most vocal critics in the sea. The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also have overlapping claims with China in the sea. The US has accused China of bullying behaviour in the sea, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week America has been too easy on China.

Source: New Strait Times November 03, 2019 09:32 UTC