U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is again expressing concerns over China’s massive island building efforts in the South China Sea.  

Kerry met with China’s foreign minister on the sidelines of the 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) forum on Wednesday, where a senior State Department official said he reiterated his concern about rising tensions over disputed claims in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and China’s large scale reclamation, construction, and militarization of features there.

“The United States shares the frequently expressed desire of ASEAN members to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea,” said Kerry in opening remarks at the ASEAN–U.S. ministerial meeting.

The group wants to “see that disputes in the area are managed peacefully and on the basis of international law,” he added.

China has been creating artificial islands in waters where Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines have overlapping claims.

The United States and the Philippines have urged China to freeze its land reclamation projects. Beijing has rejected criticism of its efforts and refused to engage in discussions at regional gatherings like ASEAN meetings.

In a foreign ministry statement this week, Wang said the South China Sea issue was “not an issue between China and ASEAN” and would not impact the “bigger issue of cooperation” between the two.

“The way you get a resolution about the South China Sea dispute, short of full-blown conflict, is if China decides it is too damaging to its own image as a responsible rising power,” said analyst Greg Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

A senior State Department official said Kerry and Wang also discussed concerns of cyberspace, human rights issues and President Xi Jinping’s U.S. visit in September.

At the ASEAN forum, Kerry also hosted a session of the Lower Mekong Initiative, a training and capacity-building project that involves Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.

Later Wednesday, Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN forum.

The State Department says they will discuss a number of issues of mutual concern.

Kerry Graduates from Crutches

Kerry entered the forum using a cane instead of crutches — a first since he broke his leg in a June biking accident.

In comments at one session, he said the cane was loaned to him by former President John F. Kennedy’s family and dated back to Joseph Kennedy, who served as U.S. ambassador to England.

Kerry is in Southeast Asia to stress the importance of U.S. trade and investment and links to prosperity for the Asian and U.S. economies.

Kerry Promotes Regional Trade, Investment

He arrived in Kuala Lumpur late Tuesday from Singapore, where he held talks with officials on issues including the proposed Trans Pacific-Partnership (TPP), a massive 12-nation trade plan.

In a speech at a Singapore university, he said trade ministers involved in TPP talks had made “good progress.” However the ministers failed to reach a final agreement during talks in Hawaii, last week.

Kerry is on a five nation-tour that also included stops in Egypt and Qatar.

Kerry to Attend Commemoration in Vietnam

After visiting Kuala Lumpur, Kerry will wrap up his trip in the Vietnamese capitol, Hanoi.

He will mark the 20th anniversary of renewed bilateral ties that were severed four decades ago as the protracted Vietnam War came to an end.
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