MANILA
- The US and Southeast Asian nations
embarked on three days of talks yesterday that would include security cooperation,
shortly after a Pentagon report raised concerns about China's military
build-up.
The
Philippines, hosts of the discussions and an Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) member, is engaged in a month-long maritime stand-off with
China over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.
"Eminent
persons" and senior officials from the United States and ASEAN would meet
from May 20 to 22 in Manila, US embassy and Philippine foreign department
statements said.
Deepening
security cooperation, climate change and trade and investment will all be on
the table over the three days of talks. They will also "review key
elements of the US-ASEAN partnership", the embassy said.
The
meeting will also prepare for US-ASEAN leaders' talks in November.
The
poorly armed Philippines has been stressing its defence ties with close ally
Washington to help bolster its position against China.
A
Pentagon report on Friday said China was carrying out aggressive cyber
espionage as part of a steady build-up of its military power. Beijing expressed
its "firm opposition" to the findings of the annual assessment.
AFP
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