The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is hard-pressed to adopt a common stance toward China on the South China Sea disputes, said Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday.
Each ASEAN member has different interests and a unique relationship with China, but Singapore could coordinate between ASEAN and China, Lee told a conference organized by Nikkei in Tokyo.
Lee stressed maritime disputes should be "resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law and the law of the sea," and warned of the dangers of "the law of the jungle," a reference to China's refusal to accept the award by the permanent court of arbitration in The Hague over the South China Sea spat.
China's foreign ministry called on Singapore Tuesday to respect China's stance on the South China Sea issue, a further indication that China is upset over Singapore's eagerness for increased US presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing that China hopes countries will remain fair and objective over the South China Sea disputes.
