But Asean retained its concern in the communique over land reclamations and escalation of activities in the contentious waterway, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tension and undermined peace, security and stability in the region.

Following long talks under pressure from Beijing and claimants in the South China Sea, Laos – the current chair of Asean – insisted on a joint communique to maintain Asean centrality, without jeopardising relations with Beijing.

Initially, the Philippines and Vietnam insisted that the regional group welcome the PCA judgement against China. But Cambodia, which has connections with Beijing, demanded that the group not mention the arbitration case in the communique after the annual ministerial meeting.

This followed a problem in 2012, when Phnom Penh, when it held the Asean chair, failed to have the annual communique altered due to a similar dispute on wording over the South China Sea.

Singapore, the current coordinator between Asean and China, proposed a solution in taking a problematic clause out of the South China Sea context, a diplomatic source said.

It appeared in the second paragraph of the adopted communique yesterday that “We [Asean foreign ministers] reaffirm our shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Members of Asean and China have been at loggerheads over the territorial disputes in the South China Sea for years. Tension was raised as China began land reclamation on natural features and built facilities that can be used for military purposes.

The Philippines took the case to the PCA in The Hague in 2013 and the court ruled on July 12 that China had no historic right to claim areas from the Philippines.

While Beijing rejected the verdict, Manila and other claimants wanted all parties to the Unclos – notably China – to comply with and use the ruling as a legal base line for negotiation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who was in Vientiane for a series meetings with his Aseancolleagues, met bilaterally with many ministers from the group, including Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

Don said the South China Sea was a dominant topic of discussion as his Chinese counterpart did not want the conflict to undermine other cooperation with Asean.

Wang Yi told reporters China would continue sticking to the “dual-track” approach to solve the South China Sea issue.

The “dual-track” approach means disputes should be resolved peacefully through negotiation between the parties directly concerned, and China and Asean countries should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, another joint statement issued after the ministerial meeting between Asean and China yesterday said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea.

Don said both sides agreed to an early conclusion to the code of conduct for practice in the contentious sea. A source said Beijing wanted to have it by late this year.