Updated: 08/03/2012 01:40

South China Sea will continue to test ASEAN consensus on difficult issues: ESM Goh

®Copyright MediaCorp

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong says disagreements over the South China Sea will continue to test ASEAN's ability to forge consensus on difficult political issues.

Mr Goh said this at an ASEAN and Asia forum this morning.

His comment comes as ASEAN foreign ministers failed to issue a joint communique at their annual meeting last month, because of disagreements over the South China Sea.

Mr Goh said ASEAN's dialogue partners and investors are watching and re-calculating their interests and positions.

Mr Goh said ASEAN's economic integration cannot be insulated from its ability to maintain unity on important issues and stability in the region.