Outsiders told not to use Asean as 'proxy' for rivalry

Singapore

THE Philippines told countries outside South-east Asia on Monday not to use the region as "a proxy for their rivalry" as it wanted to preserve unity and establish a mechanism to resolve disputes in the South China Sea.

The Philippines is chairman of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) this year and will host its annual meetings, some of which are joined by outside powers including China and the United States.