ASEAN Foreign Ministers express concern over growing tensions in South China sea

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed their concern over growing tensions in the South China Sea which they said could threaten regional peace.

"We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region," the bloc's top diplomats said in a statement.

The statement came as China and the Philippines have traded accusations in recent months over a series of maritime run-ins and as Manila cited the need to change its approach since diplomatic efforts were headed in a "poor direction".

China has described the accusations as "purely false hype", and said it will not turn a blind eye to repeated "provocations and harassment" by the Philippines.

ASEAN foreign ministers also reaffirmed the need to "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes".

"We reiterate the importance of peaceful dialogue that contributes constructively to the promotion of regional stability and cooperation in the maritime domain."

China claims most of the South China Sea through a "nine-dash-line" that loops as far as 1,500 km (900 miles) south of its mainland, cutting into the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. (QNA)