MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Defense Minister did not oppose to the issues raised by his ASEAN counterparts regarding the disputed South China Sea during their meeting on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said. Lorenzana said that the defense ministers of ASEAN member-states, as well as dialogue partners, including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US discussed freedom of navigation and non-militarization in the South China Sea. The defense ministers agreed to observe the framework of the code of conduct in the South China Sea, which is being crafted by claimant states. "Even China did not also oppose all those statements so I think it’s okay for China too because it’s supposed to be open waters," Lorenzana said. The ruling also invalidated China's nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star October 25, 2017 03:45 UTC