CHINA has been a regional player throughout Southeast Asias written history. The Middle Kingdom, one of the worlds oldest civilisation, with five millennia of continuous existence under its belt, would be the best history lesson a time traveller can ever wish for. It is then natural to suppose that the South China Sea is not only named after the country, it is the premier sea lane plied by this seafaring nation to forge its influence over Southeast Asia. For the United States to interfere with the region, now solidly seen as a single organisation in terms of security, is then to muddle the issue unnecessarily. Asean itself is clear and this is manifest in the 2002 document, Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which urged restraint to create the climate necessary for a peaceful resolution of disputes.
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