The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China have agreed to work on a code of conduct for dispute resolution in the South China Sea, an unexpected move amid growing tension in the resource rich waters, The Wall Street Journal reported. The move could help cool the ongoing disputes that heated up in mid-June when Manila sent soldiers and supplies into waters claimed by the Philippines, and Beijing warned of a “counterstrike.” Asean ministers have agreed to China’s request for a board of experts that would shape the creation of the new code. Analysts fear such a board could mire negotiations in technicalities.
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