Oh dear god, 3 reviews? You guys are the best.

Singapore is neutral about East Timor as the eleventh member. Indonesia supports, but some of the developing countries in ASEAN doesn't want him in. They want some of the ASEAN budget for themselves, and if East Timor joins in, he is entitled to some of the budget. Meaning, less budget for them. I studied the Social Studies Textbook for more details.

And now, Interview of Spratly!

"Hello, am I supposed to speak into this?" A young Asian pointed to the microphone. His friend, Singapore nodded. They were in one of Singapore's recording studios because Singapore, true to his exacting ways, wanted a true recount of the story.

"Hello, my name is Spratly. I am a group of islands in the South China Sea. I am suspected to have a large amount of natural resources." He squeezed his sleeve, and a large amount of water spilt onto the floor.

"I lie off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia (Sabah), about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. There are no native islanders but there are rich fishing grounds and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas." The door pounded on them as Spratly continued his speech which was recorded on camera. Spratly shook in fear.

"Around 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei has also claimed an EEZ in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands above mean high water (on Louisa Reef.)" The door cracked open and Singapore ducked for cover as the door knob flew at his head.

"SPRATLY!" China yelled. "You belong to me, aru! Get here with Hong Kong and Tibet, aru."

"NO, he's mine, Big brother." Taiwan argued.

"He's mine!" Malaysia forced them down on the floor, only to be kicked by Philippines.

"You're not even near him. Us islands got to stick together, right, little Spratly?" Spratly gulped, shaking like a leaf.

"Philippines, get your dirty hands off him!" Vietnam gave a flick of her paddle. As the countries fought over Spratly, Singapore quietly sipped his tea.

"Singapore?"

"Leave while you can," Singapore opened a small door at the side. "This is going to get messy afterwards."

"China, don't you dare be so aggressive over Spratly. You're sending ships, and forcing us off our territory in the West Philippines Sea!" Philippines and Vietnam ganged up on the large nation.

"You even sent a ship to Singapore, don't you think we know what you're thinking!" Vietnam waved her paddle.

"I even got into this," Singapore rolled his eyebrows, "Vietnam, that ship is civilian-run. If he plans to invade, I'll be the first one hit." Singapore decided enough was enough and he went out the way Spratly went.

Through the dog door of course.

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Foreign Ministry said recent incidents over claims in the South China Sea involving China, Vietnam and the Philippines are the reasons for the great interest in the port call in Singapore by Chinese maritime surveillance vessel, Haixun 31.

In a statement on Monday, MFA said scores of vessels from many countries, including naval vessels, call at Singapore every day without arousing the slightest excitement.

It said Singapore is not a claimant state and takes no position on the merits or otherwise of the various claims.

But as a major trading nation, Singapore has a critical interest in anything affecting freedom of navigation in all international sea lanes, including those in the South China Sea.

MFA said Singapore has repeatedly said that it's in China's own interests to clarify its claims in the South China Sea with more precision as the current ambiguity has caused serious concerns in the international maritime community.

A good start it said would be the conclusion of the implementation guidelines for the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea which has been held up for almost a decade.

-Taken from Channel News Asia

Note, West Philippine Sea is actually the South China Sea. Bound to have protests over this move.