ASEAN-China nagkasundo sa proteksiyon ng yamang dagat

Nangako ang 10-miyembrong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at ang China na titiyakin ang proteksiyon ng coastal at marine resources sa South China Sea sa susunod na 10 taon habang inaayos ang mga gusot sa mga pinag- aagawang teritoryo.

Sa “Declaration for a Decade of Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea (2017-2027),” nagkasundo ang mga lider na ang environmental situation sa mga lugar ay nangangailangan ng “collective attention and action to protect the marine ecosystem and biodiversity.”

Ang dalawang pahinang dokumento ay inilabas matapos ang pagpupulong ng mga lider ng ASEAN sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kasama si Chinese Premier Li Keqiang nitong Lunes.

Sa deklarasyon, kinilala ng mga lider ang “importance of protecting the South China Sea as a natural resource base for economic and social development for the present and future generations and recognising the benefits that would be gained from having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity.”

“The governments of Asean member states and China are committed to meet the aspirations of this Declaration,” dagdag dito.

Binanggit din nila na kailangang isulong ang responsible fishing practices, environmentally friendly fishing methods, at lalabanan ang illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF), upang matiyak ang sustainable fishery resources at matamo ang seguridad sa pagkain

“Pending a comprehensive and durable settlement of territorial and jurisdictional disputes, the parties concerned may explore or undertake relevant cooperative activities, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the UNCLOS 1982, without prejudice to the positions of the concerned parties to the dispute,” ayon dito.