Southeast Asian maritime experts examined a Philippine proposal for settling a tense dispute over the South China Sea islands on Thursday. It is the first meeting of its kind as the Philippines attempts to develop a unified regional policy to confront China’s exclusive claim over all the islands.

Maritime and legal experts from the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are attending the gathering in Manila. Only four ASEAN countries - Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam – lay claim to the region, which is believed to be rich in oil, mineral and marine resources. The other two claimants are China and Taiwan.

Dispute could take 'centuries' to resolve

The dispute has become so entrenched that claimant countries have not been able to agree on the names of the islands and surrounding waters. The Philippines call the South China Sea, the West Philippine Sea.

Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay told reporters in Manila on Thursday that it could take "centuries" to resolve the dispute. In his opening speech, he had warned that the sea had "become a source of tension that threatens security" not only in the region but also the world.

According to the Philippines proposal that was first put forward in July, the disputed areas should be delineated and then claimants can decide to withdraw their troops and replace them with civilian forces.

The suggestion is that there should be joint research projects and disaster drills to boost trust. Binay told delegates that the contested areas could thus be turned into a "zone of peace, freedom, friendship and cooperation."

Author: Anne Thomas (AP, dpa)
Editor: Grahame Lucas