Cambodia not to support decision over South China Sea issue: PM

(IANS) Ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) leader and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Tuesday said the CPP would not back an upcoming decision over South China Sea, deeming it “the worst political collusion in the framework of international politics”.

In 2013, the Philippines unilaterally filed compulsory arbitration against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague with respect to the two sides’ disputes in the South China Sea, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The CPP does not support, and more so is against, any declaration by ASEAN to support decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in relation to the South China Sea disputes, which some countries outside the region have wire-pulled and pressured ASEAN members even before the court reaches a decision,” Hun Sen said in a speech during the CPP’s 65th founding anniversary in Phnom Penh.

“The CPP foresees this issue, and views it the worst political collusion in the framework of international politics, the result of which would lead to division among ASEAN members themselves and between ASEAN and China,” he said.

The prime minister warned that efforts of some countries outside the region to mobilize forces against China would bring negative impacts on ASEAN and peace in the region.