China Sea ‘is Asean’s key goal’
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TENSION in the contentious South China Sea due to activities and confrontation between countries both in and outside the region will not undermine Asean – rather, it would inspire the bloc to speed up work on a code of conduct for the sea, a senior official said yesterday.
“The new development on the ground is our aspiration to come up with a framework for the code of conduct hopefully by this year,” the Philippines’ UnderSecretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo said.
Asean has been working on a code of conduct for many years to try to control the behaviour of countries in the region after territorial disputes with China.
In 2002, the group signed a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) with China. But that was a nonbinding paper that failed to prevent activity such as land reclamation and construction of artificial islands in the contentious sea.
The group has been seeking to create another legal instrument with the power to control activities of countries in the region. On the tenth anniversary of the DOC in 2012, Asean set up a joint working group to transform ideas and seek common ground on a framework for the code of conduct with China.
The AseanChina working group is expected to conclude the framework this year before proceeding to negotiate on elements and text of the code of conduct, Manalo said.
The Philippines, which has chairmanship of Asean this year, hosted an informal meeting of foreign ministers today on the resort island of Boracay.
Senior officials from the group spent nearly all of yesterday discussing preparations for the informal meeting — known in Asean jargon as a ‘ministerial retreat’ – as well as other matters and activities the group will pursue this year with Manila at the helm.
Asean will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, as well as anniversaries with many dialogue partners such as the United States and the European Union. The group will take stock of its relations with outsiders amid changes in international relations, notably the new administration in Washington.
The officials did not directly discuss the latest development because a US Navy naval strike group, including the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitzclass aircraft carrier, has begun “routine operations” in the South China Sea.
The operations came despite a warning from China not to interfere with Chinese sovereignty in the area.
Manalo said: “The situation that existed last year and this year is all important for Asean in attempts to come up with a code of conduct as soon as we can.”
Asean had a clear intent to get instruments to prevent tension from escalating and jeopardising peace and stability in the region, he said.
Asean has been working on a code of conduct for many years to try to control the behaviour of countries in the region after territorial disputes with China.
In 2002, the group signed a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) with China. But that was a nonbinding paper that failed to prevent activity such as land reclamation and construction of artificial islands in the contentious sea.
The group has been seeking to create another legal instrument with the power to control activities of countries in the region. On the tenth anniversary of the DOC in 2012, Asean set up a joint working group to transform ideas and seek common ground on a framework for the code of conduct with China.
The AseanChina working group is expected to conclude the framework this year before proceeding to negotiate on elements and text of the code of conduct, Manalo said.
The Philippines, which has chairmanship of Asean this year, hosted an informal meeting of foreign ministers today on the resort island of Boracay.
Senior officials from the group spent nearly all of yesterday discussing preparations for the informal meeting — known in Asean jargon as a ‘ministerial retreat’ – as well as other matters and activities the group will pursue this year with Manila at the helm.
Asean will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, as well as anniversaries with many dialogue partners such as the United States and the European Union. The group will take stock of its relations with outsiders amid changes in international relations, notably the new administration in Washington.
The officials did not directly discuss the latest development because a US Navy naval strike group, including the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitzclass aircraft carrier, has begun “routine operations” in the South China Sea.
The operations came despite a warning from China not to interfere with Chinese sovereignty in the area.
Manalo said: “The situation that existed last year and this year is all important for Asean in attempts to come up with a code of conduct as soon as we can.”
Asean had a clear intent to get instruments to prevent tension from escalating and jeopardising peace and stability in the region, he said.
