Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony of the 25th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw on November 12, Minh stressed that ASEAN and China should embark on more substantive consultations to resolve territorial disputes.

Territorial disputes over parts of the East Sea are expected to feature highly on the leaders' agenda at the ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN Secretary-General said more progress needs to be made in negotiations to try and conclude a Code of Conduct (COC) to prevent future incidents from taking place.
 

Minh said: "It is a problem we have to overcome. On the one hand, we have seen the progress in terms of the commitments to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and in moving towards early conclusion of the COC. On the other hand, we have seen continued and ongoing incidents at sea which complicates the process of negotiations." He said it is crucial and urgent for the grouping to stay united and maintain its centrality.

The ASEAN chief gave the host nation - Myanmar - a thumbs-up for its leadership role. “Myanmar's ASEAN chairmanship in 2014 has been a critical and historic moment not only for Myanmar, but also for ASEAN. It's both a reflection and also recognition of the result of its process of reform," Minh stated.

In its official announcement, the ASEAN Secretariat said issues of regional and international concerns are placed high at the 25th ASEAN Summit’s agenda, especially East Sea-related issues that cause impact on peace and stability in the region and the world. Another hot topic at the Summit is the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 orientations, including ASEAN economic integration in December 2015.

At present, China, Taiwan and four ASEAN nations (the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam) are dealing with disputes over sovereignty in the East Sea. In May 2014, China illegally deployed its deepwater oil rig HD-981 in Vietnam’s territorial waters, heightening tension in the East Sea.