The Chinese media has shrugged off the recently-concluded two-day US-ASEAN summit held in Sunnydales, California, saying nothing significant in terms of striking geopolitical decisions was reached after the talks.

Despite this, many observers agree that Beijing is concerned that the ten-member ASEAN has forged a common ground in handling territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

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The Communist Party-run Global Times, in an editorial piece, said California's Sunnylands resort was the 'wrong place' to hold talks on the South China Sea row and that in spite of their unified goal to strengthen ties, most ASEAN member-countries would not want to take sides between Beijing and Washington.

                                                          Leverage

"These countries may know that if they pick a side from either China or the United States, they would be controlled by it and used as leverage," one commentary said.

An opinion piece cited the example of Vietnam, which has a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, but has 'cautiously' been treading a fine line between Beijing and Washington.

"Among the 10 ASEAN members, only the Philippines publicly adopts a pro-U.S. attitude, but it does not stand in complete opposition to China," it added.

                                                       Largest trade partner

China is ASEAN's largest trade partner, but its claim to almost all of the South China Sea and its unrestrained buildup of artificial islands and facilities in the region have become a source of serious concern among Beijing's Southeast Asian neighbors.

Beijing has always reiterated that disputes in the South China Sea must be resolved between individual claimants and that there should be no room for outside interference by third parties, obviously referring to the United States.

Beijing has reportedly reclaimed up to 2,900 acres of land in the disputed international waterway.

                                                       Fiery Cross Reef

China recently tested its newly-built airstrip in the disputed Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratlys chain of islands by landing civilian planes. This drew protests from Vietnam and the Philippines.

In the recently-concluded summit between the US and ASEAN, President Barack Obama said the two sides have a 'shared vision' of upholding international rules and norms in resolving maritime disputes peacefully.

"Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said.

TagsGlobal Times, Chinese media, South China Sea row, Washington, china