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South China Sea focus for Clinton Indonesia visit Clinton urges Asean unity over South China Sea rows
(about 11 hours later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due in Indonesia for talks set to include a push for unity among South East Asian nations over territorial disputes with China. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged South East Asian nations to work together to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Talks are expected to focus on regional grouping Asean and its role in tackling wrangling over the South China Sea. Speaking in Indonesia during her tour of the region, Mrs Clinton said the Asean bloc and China must make "meaningful progress" towards drafting a code of conduct for the disputes.
Mrs Clinton, who will meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is on an 11-day tour of the region. China has competing territorial claims against four Asean member states.
She flew in from the Cook Islands, where she attended a Pacific summit. The rows have led to increased tensions in the region and fears of conflict.
Her extended visit is being seen as a sign that the US is stepping up its diplomatic offensive in the region, as part of President Barack Obama's "pivot to Asia" in the face of an assertive China, analysts say. At a news conference with her Indonesian counterpart in the capital, Jakarta, Mrs Clinton said the US did not take a position on territorial disputes.
Mrs Clinton is also scheduled to visit China, East Timor and Brunei before heading to the Apec forum in Russia. "But we believe the nations of the region should work collaboratively to resolve disputes without coercion, without intimidation and certainly without the use of force," she said.
'Diplomatic conversation' "That is why we encourage Asean and China to make meaningful progress toward finalising a comprehensive code of conduct in order to establish rules of the road and clear procedures for peacefully addressing disagreements."
An official on Mrs Clinton's plane told journalists that the US wanted "to strengthen Asean unity going forward". Indonesia has played a leading role in drafting the code of conduct, which China has so far been reluctant to sign up to, preferring to negotiate with individual countries.
Rows over the South China Sea have left the 10-member regional bloc - formally known as the Association of South East Asian Nations - divided. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa agreed with Mrs Clinton on the need for the code, saying that without it, "we can be certain of more incidents and tension for our region".
US 'at fault'
Mrs Clinton flew in to Indonesia from the Cook Islands, where she attended a Pacific summit. She will later meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
She is also scheduled to visit China, East Timor and Brunei before heading to the Apec forum in Russia.
Her extended visit is being seen as a sign that the US is stepping up its diplomatic offensive in the region, as part of President Barack Obama's "pivot to Asia" in the face of an assertive China.
China has overlapping claims with four Asean members in the South China Sea. Earlier this year, vessels from China and the Philippines faced off for several weeks over one area, the Scarborough Shoal.China has overlapping claims with four Asean members in the South China Sea. Earlier this year, vessels from China and the Philippines faced off for several weeks over one area, the Scarborough Shoal.
At a regular meeting hosted by Cambodia in July, Asean failed for the first time in its 45-year history to issue a joint statement because of tensions over the disputes.At a regular meeting hosted by Cambodia in July, Asean failed for the first time in its 45-year history to issue a joint statement because of tensions over the disputes.
Vietnam and the Philippines have accused host Cambodia of yielding to Chinese pressure to keep the issue off the agenda.Vietnam and the Philippines have accused host Cambodia of yielding to Chinese pressure to keep the issue off the agenda.
Since then Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has visited regional leaders in a bid to encourage co-operation and the implementation of a joint code of conduct for all parties who claim the various islands. Since then, Mr Natalegawa has visited regional leaders in a bid to encourage co-operation and the implementation of a joint code of conduct for all parties who claim the various islands.
The official on the plane - speaking anonymously as is customary - said Mrs Clinton wanted to see "how we can put more wind into the sails of a diplomatic effort".
"The most important thing is that we end up in a diplomatic process where these issues are addressed in a strong diplomatic conversation between a unified Asean and China rather than through any kind of coercion," the official said.
Mrs Clinton flies to China after Indonesia for two days of talks. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is also due in China later this month.Mrs Clinton flies to China after Indonesia for two days of talks. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is also due in China later this month.
On Monday a commentary by China's state-run Xinhua news agency said the US needed to prove it was "returning to Asia as a peacemaker, instead of a troublemaker".On Monday a commentary by China's state-run Xinhua news agency said the US needed to prove it was "returning to Asia as a peacemaker, instead of a troublemaker".
The security situation in the region was worsening, it said, because South China Sea and East China Sea territorial disputes were escalating.The security situation in the region was worsening, it said, because South China Sea and East China Sea territorial disputes were escalating.
"Washington, which claims not to take sides in the disputes, is partly blamed for fuelling the tensions because it has apparently emboldened certain relevant parties to make provocations against China in order to achieve undeserved territorial gains," the commentary said."Washington, which claims not to take sides in the disputes, is partly blamed for fuelling the tensions because it has apparently emboldened certain relevant parties to make provocations against China in order to achieve undeserved territorial gains," the commentary said.