Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13) — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to speed up negotiations on the long-delayed code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
In a joint statement after a meeting among their top diplomats, the 10-member bloc and Beijing vowed to “work toward the early conclusion of an effective and substantive” set of rules seen to minimize the potential for conflict in the disputed waterway.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that ASEAN and China have resolved to try to conclude the COC within three years, citing a Southeast Asian diplomat who asked not to be named.
Beijing’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea clash with those of four ASEAN member-states: the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. For decades, the Southeast Asian nations have been pushing for a legally-binding COC in the area, but critics have noted that progress has been slow due to resistance from the East Asian giant.
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During the Thursday meeting, AP also said both sides agreed on a set of guidelines which called for more discussions and “the start of negotiations for the most contentious issues, including whether the regional code should be legally enforceable and its geographical scope.”
ASEAN and China also reiterated their pledge to fully implement the non-binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) which they signed in 2002, and to respect the territorial integrity of all nations, settle disputes through peaceful means, and renounce the threat or use of force.
Such renewal of commitment came as tensions persist not only in the contested waters, but also in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region due to what observers described as Beijing’s aggressive territorial posturing.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, ASEAN foreign ministers expressed “grave concern” over North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile on July 12.
They said they are “deeply dismayed” by the action, as they urged Pyongyang to work towards de-escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
“We reiterated our readiness to play a constructive role, including through the utilization of ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum),” the ministers also wrote.
