Philippine Defense Minister Accuses China Of Trying To Break Up ASEAN

JAKARTA - Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in a forum organized by the United States Indo-Pacific Command, said China was working to divide the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"What China is trying to do? Trying to divide us. And that, fortunately, will not happen, because I firmly believe our leaders realize that in this region, China is the largest international peace destroyer in the ASEAN region," the Defense Minister said., as quoted by the Inquirer newspaper reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 27.

Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines will continue to strengthen military relations with Vietnam after coast patrols of the two countries conducted the first joint naval exercise in the South China Sea disputed by a number of countries.

He also called on the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations not to let China define the meaning of ASEAN Sentrality.

"We must unite in ASEAN and protect the rights of sovereignty and power of each other while placing our internal disputes in the context of ASEAN's scope," he added.

China and the Philippines claim a number of islands in the South China Sea.

The situation in the region is often complicated by US warships passing through, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry says violates international law and also destabilizes China's sovereignty and security.