Jakarta, July 31 -- Ambassador of the United States to ASEAN Kevin Kim said that the US understands and respects ASEAN functions in handling disputes in the South China Sea.

"The (US) administration understands and respects how ASEAN functions as an institution," said Kim in a closed discussion with the media here on Friday.

Regarding the dispute in the South China Sea, he stressed that the US is aware of the ongoing discussions between ASEAN member states and China.

He believes that ASEAN member states will form a consensus based on their respective positions among the 11 countries as a group, and they will negotiate with China as a whole, which means a consensus must be reached.

"We respect that consensus-driven process. Fundamental...