Jakarta, July 21 -- Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono urged ASEAN to maintain its credibility by delivering development that produces tangible benefits for people while strengthening regional stability.

"The question is not how far ASEAN has come, but whether our people can truly feel the benefits," Sugiono said at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila on Tuesday.

He said ASEAN's first test was maintaining regional peace while ensuring member interactions remained governed by rules.

Indonesia is therefore pushing for the completion this year of an effective and substantive South China Sea code of conduct based on international law.

"A region governed by law will always be stronger than one governed by force," S...