ASEAN's fail to reach agreement

The ASEAN bloc meeting in Cambodia

The 10 nation strong association of East Asian nations has failed to reach an agreement on how to solve  China's disputed claims to territory in the South China sea . The South China sea is thought to be rich in oil and gas reserves and sees roughly a third of the worlds shipping pass through the area.
China is engaged in numerous disputed claims between, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines. The U.S has voiced it's concerns.

 The Chinese navy

The ASEAN bloc ended the meeting in Cambodia without issuing a joint statement for the first time in 45 years since it was founded. Analysts have long predicted the South China sea as the point of focus for both U.S and Chinese strategy, which ultimately will lead to a military stand-off.

The resources are in this case a bonus for China, the real power she is seeking is the control of some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The other ASEAN nations are wary of China's expansion, historically this is the case.

China has invested billions of dollars building ports in and around the Indian Ocean in places like Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The obvious missing link for China would be to take control of shipping closer to home in order to gain absolute superiority in the East's oceans.

Watch this video from STRATFOR....

What STRATFOR failed to mention was the Arctic routes that may open due to the melting of the Ice caps. China has expressed interest in Iceland under the cover of eco resorts.

Also incorporated into this shipping plan is Malta, Greece, Liverpool UK and Canada.

We are witnessing the rise of a new Empire. Haven't we got beyond Empires yet to a new more democratic egalitarian approach to world resources.