ASEAN leaders expected to tackle SCS issue in new summit

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 11) — Southeast Asian leaders are expected to discuss foreign developments, including issues in the South China Sea (SCS), during this month's summit in Japan, an official of the Philippine government said.

According to Office of ASEAN Affairs Asec. Daniel Espiritu, there will be a session in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit where top officials will discuss relations and cooperation activities between Japan and ASEAN.

«They will also discuss South China Sea, East China Sea, Myanmar, North Korea, and other international developments that have bearing on ASEAN,» he said during a Palace briefing on Monday.

It is unclear, however, if the ASEAN leaders will touch on the latest aggressions of China in the West Philippine Sea—a part of the SCS that Beijing also claims—over the weekend, which included water cannon incidents.

Marcos and foreign envoys condemned China for launching dangerous actions in the disputed waters.

The United States also reiterated that any armed attacks against Filipino forces, including vessels and aircraft, could invoke their defense pact.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave for Japan on Friday, where he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The subjects of their discussions have yet to be disclosed.

The summit is set on Dec. 16 to 18.