The Association of Southeast Asian Nations consists of Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and Laos. ASEAN foreign ministers this week in Brunei agreed to speak with one voice in encouraging China to negotiate a binding code of conduct to help prevent conflict in the territorial disputes. While eighteen defense ministers throughout the Asia-Pacific region meet and signed a joint declaration that reaffirms their commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to working together peacefully and cooperatively for a better future. The South China Sea is believed to hold massive oil and natural gas reserves thus causing the on-going territorial disputes with China. A senior ASEAN diplomat revealed Thursday that China's stance remains intact in that it does not want to "multi-lateralize" South China Sea issues. A Chinese official said that ASEAN meeting is not the appropriate place to resolve maritime disputes.

It is part of the same old game plan for Beijing. Analyst Malcolm Cook, of International Studies, said it is unlikely that China will agree to a quick resolution on a code of conduct. The Philippines believes it will enjoy an advantageous position in multilateral talks. But China won’t accept this because it does not consider the South China Sea a multilateral issue even if it involves six countries. Many of the nations accuse China of using its advance military in the Southeast Asian Sea. As a result some of the nations have expanded their defense cooperation with the United States. Signifying Southeast Asia's developing prominence and importance, Washington changes its strategic focus toward the Asia-Pacific region with an increase budget of $90 million for the defense cooperation programs with ASEAN nations.

USDefense Secretary Hagel emphasized the importance of China and India to participate in new security architecture for the region. He reasoned that security is a critical foundation for prosperity in Southeast Asia, saying trade "cannot flourish in waters that are contested by force."

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Tidbits:

Under the international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), it is acceptable for a seafarer to work up to 98 hours a week. This is far longer than the limit of 72 hours a week laid down in the International Labour Organisation convention 180, and almost doubles the maximum of 48 hours per week in the European Working Time Directive.