President Duterte to call for “respect for the full supremacy of the law” in S. China Sea

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to  release a chairman’s statement on the South China Sea at the end of the one-day Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders meeting on Saturday.

But Duterte’s chairman’s statement, which is meant to reflect the views of all ASEAN leaders, will not mention the international tribunal ruling nor China directly, according to a draft obtained by AFP.

“We shared the serious concerns expressed by some leaders over recent developments and escalation of activities in the area which may further raise tensions and erode trust and confidence in the region,” the draft statement said.

An excerpt of an updated copy of the chairman’s statement showed that Duterte would call for “respect for the full supremacy of the law.”

The ASEAN leaders are due to begin talks at 10:30 am (0230 GMT) and will conclude with a dinner in the evening.

The event is also being closely watched for how Duterte, who has not minced words against the United States and the European Parliament, handles hosting his first major diplomatic event.

China has been turning reefs and shoals in areas of the sea claimed by the Philippines and other nations into artificial islands, and installing military facilities there.

ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also claim parts of the sea.

The US has criticized the construction work, warning against militarization in the waterway where $5 trillion in annual trade passes.

The Philippines, under previous President Benigno Aquino III, had lobbied hard at ASEAN summits for the bloc to voice its strong opposition to China, and official statements at those events often reflected that.

It was also Aquino who filed a case at a UN-backed tribunal asking it to reject China’s claims and artificial island building.

The Arbitration Tribunal last year ruled largely in the Philippines’ favor, but the ruling came after Duterte, who favors much closer ties with China, took power.