ASEAN rejects use of force
Leaders underscore importance of peace, stability in South China Sea
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have expressed concern over the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, but were silent on the Philippines’ victory in the United Nations (UN)-backed Arbitral Tribunal.
In a draft statement, ASEAN leaders stressed the importance of pursuing peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, like the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They likewise reaffirmed the importance of maintaining
peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation in and over-flight over the disputed South China Sea.
The leaders also underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety.
“We were pleased with the progress to complete a framework of the Code of Conduct (COC), in order to facilitate the early adoption of the COC within the ASEAN-China process,” the statement read.
Excerpts from the draft Chairman’s statement, which will be released at the end of the summit, also show that some ASEAN leaders share serious concern over the recent developments and escalation of activities in the disputed sea, fearing these may further raise tensions and erode trust and confidence in the region.
Mutual trust
However, it made no mention of the concerns of some leaders on the land reclamation in the disputed waters that was stressed last year when Laos hosted the annual gathering of leaders.
“We reaffirmed the importance of enhancing mutual trust and confidence, exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities, avoiding actions that may further complicate the situation,” the statement read.
The language of the draft Chairman’s statement, however, may still change during the course of the 30th ASEAN Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
ASEAN leaders had previously expressed desire to come up with a framework for COC within this year. China has also aired its willingness to draft a COC framework and is set to meet ASEAN high officials in May to discuss the issue.
The arbitration decision handed down by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016, ruled that China’s historical claims over the disputed waters as invalid under the 1982 UNCLOS. China, however, refused to recognize any decision handed down by the court.
President Duterte, since taking of- fice, chose to set the issue aside first by avoiding conflict over sovereignty in the disputed sea. Instead, he has focused on establishing better ties with China.
Duterte, however, vowed to raise the territorial dispute within his term or call China’s attention when the need arises.
Among the 10 member-states of the ASEAN, four – namely the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam – are claiming jurisdiction over the South China Sea. The rest of the ASEAN states expressed desire for a peaceful resolution on the maritime dispute.
China claims almost entire South China Sea where about $5 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass every year.
ASEAN references to the South China Sea issue typically do not name China, which has been expanding its seven manmade islands in the Spratlys, including with hangers, runways, radars and surface-to-air missiles.
Last year’s ASEAN statement in Laos emphasized the importance of “non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities, including land reclamation.”
According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, China will soon be capable of deploying fighter jets on three of its reefs. China insists its activities are for defence purposes and are taking place in what it considers its sovereign waters.
The Philippines irked China two months ago when its then foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, said he and ASEAN counterparts had noticed “very unsettlingly” that weapons systems had been installed, and considered that “a militarization of the region.”
The foreign minister of the former administration, Alberto del Rosario, on Tuesday said the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN summit was an opportunity for Duterte to raise China’s militarization.
“We should utilize our leadership to be able to uphold the rule of law,” he said. “The leadership of the Philippines will lose a lot of influence if we pass up that opportunity.”
Maritime security, cooperation
The ASEAN leaders, in the draft statement, also expressed support for the continuous development and the strengthening of linkages in maritime security and cooperation.
The leaders also welcomed the cooperation and constructive dialogues on maritime issues of common interest and concern including search and rescue, maritime capacity-building, crimes at sea, marine scientific research, maritime security, and piracy.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has formed and mobilized special teams of immigration officers to conduct arrival and departure formalities to ASEAN 2017 foreign delegates.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said teams of immigration intelligence agents were also fielded to assist other law enforcement and security agencies in providing security to the ASEAN delegates and respond to any threats by international terror groups who might attempt to disrupt the summit.
“We have designated special ASEAN lanes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to facilitate the efficient processing of the delegates and their accompanying persons,” Morente said. (With reports from Reuters and Jun Ramirez)