Defense chiefs and military commanders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have gathered on the Indonesian island of Bali. They've agreed to hold a joint exercise in the South China Sea.

The leader of Myanmar's military junta was not invited to the meeting. A defense attach? attended instead.

The chief of staff of Timor-Leste also attended. The country's membership to ASEAN was approved in principle last year.

The participants agreed they will hold their exercise in September near the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.
Indonesia's top commander emphasized the sea's importance, as it touches the borders of several member countries.

Indonesia's National Defense Forces Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, said: "ASEAN must agree and unite, so that we all agree on the security and stability of the region. If the area is stable, shipping routes are safe, flights are safe, and of course, there will be prosperity."

The meeting comes amid China's growing activities in the waters. ASEAN resumed negotiations with China in March for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The meeting also comes as North Korea says it plans to launch another military reconnaissance satellite. One such attempt failed last week. Parts of the rocket are expected to fall into an area of the Pacific east of the Philippines.

Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, General Andres Centino, said: "I think the better way for us, like in ASEAN, is to be aware of what's happening, also, and make sure that all other means are exhausted to ensure that what we think could be the worst situation will not happen."

Meanwhile, Indonesia has been hosting naval drills since Monday involving a number of countries near Sulawesi island. Thirty-six nations are participating, including the US, China and Russia. Indonesia's official foreign policy is to not take sides, and keep a balance between major powers.