South China Sea tensions ‘won’t stop’ Asean’s blue economy growth: official

Southeast Asia’s plans to grow its blue economy – especially its fisheries sector – will not be hindered by tensions in the South China Sea, according to a senior Asean official, despite warnings from observers that ongoing maritime disputes with China could threaten the region’s economic and environmental progress.
Satvinder Singh, deputy secretary general of the Asean Economic Community, said disputes involving claimant states such as the Philippines and Vietnam would not hamper the bloc’s…