A working draft of the communique obtained by AFP on Saturday showed the section titled "South China Sea" as blank. Washington has backed the Philippines and other South China Sea claimants against Beijing, arguing for free passage through what it considers international waters. That statement had expressed alarm over Beijing's activities in the South China Sea. A State Department official said the US would push for Asean to ease tensions over the South China Sea and find common ground. VIENTIANE - South-east Asian foreign ministers will hold crunch talks in communist Laos on Sunday at a summit already overshadowed by infighting over Beijing's sabre rattling in the South China Sea.

Source: Bangkok Post July 24, 2016 02:37 UTC