Draft pact on territorial feud called a ‘breakthrough’
SINGAPORE — China’s top diplomat said Thursday that an initial draft of a proposed pact with Southeast Asia aimed at preventing fighting in the disputed South China Sea was a “breakthrough,” and that talks can accelerate without outside interference.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes four rival claimants to territories in the sea, have been holding sporadic talks for years on a “code of conduct,” a set of regional norms and rules aimed at preventing a shooting war in the disputed waters.
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced at the start of an annual meeting of top diplomats from China and the 10nation bloc that both sides have agreed on an initial draft that will be the basis of future negotiations. He called the development a “milestone.”
“This is a breakthrough for the COC (code of conduct) negotiation,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the ASEAN ministers
At a news conference, Wang later said: “We believe that without any disturbances from the outside, COC (code of conduct) consultations will accelerate.”
Wang did not elaborate, but in the past, China has accused Washington of meddling in what it calls an Asian dispute. The U.S. has deployed ships and jets to patrol the waters to promote freedom of navigation and overflight. It has often raised alarm over China’s assertive actions, including its construction of islands where it has placed weapons including surface-to-air missiles.
Despite the draft pact, some concerns were raised “on the land reclamations and activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region,” the ministers said, reflecting divisions on the issue.
Vietnam, for one, has been vocal in expressing concerns over China’s transformation of seven disputed reefs into manmade islands, including three with runways, which now resemble small cities armed with weapons systems.
China has come under intense criticism for militarization of the strategic waterway, but says it has the right to build on its territories and defend them at all costs.