ASEAN, Japan, Others Vow to Prevent Accidental Clashes

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Aug. 29 (Jiji Press)--Defense ministers from ASEAN and other countries including Japan, China and the United States wrapped up their two-day meeting here Thursday by adopting a joint statement showing their pledge to explore steps to prevent accidental maritime clashes. The meeting was the second under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus, or ADMM-Plus, forum, which comprises 18 countries including the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. At a press conference after the meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said that it is important to create a liaison mechanism to prevent maritime clashes. At Thursday's plenary meeting, many participants stressed the need to establish a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea where China has territorial disputes with some ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, informed sources said. Onodera also expressed his hope for the early establishment of such a code of conduct, according to the sources. The third ADMM-Plus meeting will be held in Malaysia in 2015. END