The Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, meeting in Phnom
Penh is expected to focus on security and territorial disputes in the South
China Sea. The other issue to be tackled is tensions on the Korean
peninsula. At a time when North Korea is in the grip of international
sanctions, Cambodia has embraced the secretive nation. Aiming to play
peacemaker, Cambodian officials went to Pyongyang last month to try and find
a way past February's missile test, which was conducted by North Korea in
defiance of UN sanctions. They say North Korea is ready to talk, but wants
respect. Cambodia hopes its closer relationship will give it a greater
chance of success. Al Jazeera's Steve Chao reports from Phnom Penh.
Steve Chao reports on ASEAN summit
The Obama administration is hoping China will accept a code
of conduct for resolving territorial disputes in the resource-rich South
China Sea, a difficult mediation effort that's often been rebuffed by the
communist government.
