Asean, China discuss 'hotline'

ASEAN and China are discussing setting up a "hotline" in case of an emergency regarding the territorial dispute over the South China Sea, a Philippine official said yesterday.

The proposed hotline was discussed during a meeting of senior diplomats from China and Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Tianjin last week, said foreign department spokesman Charles Jose.

Jose said the matter had been referred back to a joint working group and was still far from fruition.

The Philippines and fellow Asean members Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam have competing claims over the South China Sea along with China and Taiwan.