Spratly territorial rights debate may begin January

Spratly territorial rights debate may begin January

Dow Jones, Singapore

The discussion on the territorial rights dispute of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea may begin as early as January if China agrees to the first round of talks in Jakarta, Ong Keng Yong, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretary general, said on Sunday.

Ong was speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Singapore Sunday to Tuesday.

The territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands is a long- drawn out affair, but the stakes were raised in recent years after exploration suggested the area may hold lucrative oil reserves.

The ongoing dispute involves China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam. The ASEAN "wants to initiate a constructive strategic meeting between the countries involved," Ong said. "China didn't want to meet in Indonesia...They want to meet in Hainan island (southern China)."

"China is now willing consider the ASEAN proposal to meet in Indonesia after we (ASEAN) told them (China) that we would hold the next round of meetings in China," Ong said.

China, which is hosting the next Olympic games in 2008, is aiming to settle all outstanding issues with its Asian countries before that date, hoping to garner support from the Asian countries for that global event, Ong said.

Ten Southeast Asian nations and China agreed to avoid any activity that would cause tension in the Spratlys area.