ASEAN alert on China in Spratlys

ASEAN alert on China in Spratlys

HANOI (DPA): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has added weight to a Philippine campaign to halt China's "creeping invasion" of the disputed South China Sea, expressing concern over recent Chinese acts threatening stability in the region.

A diplomatic source said on Monday foreign ministers of the nine-member regional grouping were "surprised" when Philippine foreign minister Domingo Siazon presented air force photographs showing Chinese vessels and structures on a Spratlys reef.

Concrete edifices that appeared to have military functions have been built by some 100 Chinese workers in Mischief Reef, claimed by both Manila and Beijing, where several Chinese vessels, some armed, were also spotted late October. The new construction expanded an octagon-shaped structure built in 1995.

The Spratlys dispute is expected to be raised by ASEAN during a dialog with China after the 6th leaders' summit Dec. 15-16 in the Vietnamese capital. ASEAN is also slated to hold talks with Japan and South Korea.

Aside from the Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam -- all ASEAN members -- China and Taiwan claim at least part of the Spratlys.