Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa proposed ASEAN and China open

PHNOM PENH (AFP). - Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa proposed ASEAN and China open relationship "hotline" to further prevent confrontation in areas disputed South China Sea.

He said the security mechanisms must exist although ASEAN and China, which claims to large areas of the sea, still have not agreed on the procedure (COC) handling claims filed.

"What is being sought as we seek COC Indonesia is ASEAN and China's determination to open a hotline connection, so if there is an incident in the future, although the COC has not been able to function, we can keep in touch and dialogue," he said.

The proposal was another clue that was widely expected by analysts, namely: China and ASEAN remains still have not been able to reach an agreement on how to end the dispute.

Four members of ASEAN, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam, claim the territories of South China Sea. But China's claim over a wide area of ​​the sea route has been a source of dispute with ASEAN. The four members of ASEAN has urged China to resolve the dispute with ASEAN as a group, but ASEAN believes China would rather settle the claim with the respective countries.

Natalegawa said that, although the COC has not reached in the coming days, progress must be achieved in the summit, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday.

"I think the key here is momentum. Indonesia is trying hard to be achieved progress. If we do not do anything, there will be setbacks, "she said.

The ASEAN heads of state summit Sunday start (18/11/201