Clinton urges united front against China

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called yesterday on Southeast Asian states to present a united front to the Chinese in dealing with territorial disputes in the South China Sea to "literally calm the waters."

She urged all involved to make "meaningful progress" by a November summit in Cambodia that President Barack Obama plans to attend.

Clinton offered strong U.S. support for a regionally endorsed plan to ease tensions by implementing a code of conduct for all claimants to disputed islands.

In Jakarta, headquarters of the Association of South East Asian Nations, Clinton also pressed the group to insist that China agree to a formal mechanism to reduce short-term risks of conflict and ultimately come to final settlements over sovereignty.

Clinton was joined at the news conference by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

China and a host of countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei, have overlapping claims to several small, but potentially energy-rich areas of the South China Sea.

China has become increasingly assertive in pressing its territorial claims and, in Beijing Monday, the foreign ministry reiterated China's stance.

Clinton travels to China today. Her 11-day tour began in the Cook Islands and will also take her to East Timor, Brunei and Russia's Far East. -- AP