China has relied on its ally Cambodia to block any overt mention of tensions in the South China Sea in communiques following meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, because it doesn't want to be confronted by a united bloc. Xi told Obama that China will continue to "unswervingly safeguard" its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency. China also plans joint naval exercises with Russia in the South China Sea Sept. 11-19, a move criticized by the U.S. as harming regional stability. ___U.S. OFFICIAL WANTS MORE ACTIVE AUSTRALIAN ENGAGEMENTU.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff Col. Tom Hanson urged Australia to take a stronger position against China's assertiveness in the South China Sea. Australia has been supportive of the U.S. freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea, and has regularly sent its own air force patrols over the region, drawing anger from Beijing.

Source: Fox News September 05, 2016 06:11 UTC