China defiant over South China Sea skirmishes in ASEAN talks and blames meddling by foreign forces

Associated Press

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders have stepped up pressure on China to respect international law following clashes in the disputed South China Sea, but Chinese Premier Li Qiang remained defiant during annual summit talks as he blamed “external forces” for interfering in regional affairs. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ meeting with Li on Thursday followed recent violent confrontations at sea between China and ASEAN members Philippines and Vietnam that heightened unease over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the contested waters. Li didn’t name the foreign forces, but China has previously warned the U.S. not to meddle in the region’s territorial disputes.