Asean should ask China whether it respects their EEZs in South China Sea

ABSENT this recognition, it has been impossible to move even a millimeter forward discussions on the long proposed Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea between Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China.

At the annual summit of the Asean in Bangkok, Thailand over the weekend, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made a number of declarations and revelations that can be utilized to propel forward the repeatedly stalled and uncertain Asean-China COC on the South China Sea.