"Dialogue relations can be made more productive, constructive, if the valued principle of non-interference of the Asean member states is observed," he said. The Asean leaders are expected to discuss a proposed code of conduct in the South China Sea between Asean and China, the framework of which is currently being negotiated by officials with the hope of finalising one this year. Other Asean member states that have competing claims in the South China Sea are Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. China is being criticised for reclaiming land in the South China Sea and building structures on it, including those military in nature, despite a 2002 agreement with Asean not to change the status quo in the area. Leaders of Asean's dialogue partners are expected to attend a bigger summit in November in the Philippines, which is this year's Asean chair country.

Source: Bangkok Post April 29, 2017 05:15 UTC