Duterte calls for self-restraint in South China Sea dispute
NONTHABURI, Thailand – President Duterte has called for self-restraint in the activities in the disputed South China Sea and pushed for the early conclusion of a binding code of conduct to prevent the escalation of the conflict.
The peaceful and rules
based resolution of the South China Sea dispute was highlighted by the President when he spoke before fellow Southeast Asian leaders in Thailand.
“ASEAN must therefore remain united. We must lead the way in building trust and confidence among all stakeholders. And we must use all the influence that we have, individually and collectively, to persuade parties to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” the President said during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plenary Saturday, in citing the need to keep an environment conducive to “negotiations and fair compromises.”
According to the President, the territorial dispute must be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He also mentioned the arbitral ruling that nullified China’s claims in the disputed waterway during the ASEAN plenary. “The country’s victory with its arbitral case with China strengthened this position, he said, stressing there is no other way for claimants except the path to peace,” a Palace statement read.
The Philippines is also ready to work with ASEAN member-states for “the immediate conclusion of a binding code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea necessary to maintain peace and stability,” according to the President.
“As ASEAN-China Country Coordinator, the Philippines will do its utmost part to conclude negotiations on a Code of Conduct as soon as possible,” Duterte said.
“Notwithstanding the lack of enthusiasm by some external partners, I believe that we in ASEAN are one in the view that an effective and substantive COC will be good for the region,” he added.
The President also reaffirmed that maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight above the South China Sea is “a priority of ASEAN,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
China and four other ASEAN member-states, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, have overlapping claims in the resourcerich South China Sea. Tension in the region has risen as countries protested China’s increased reclamation works and military buildup in the disputed waters.
The Hague-based court earlier ruled there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights in the South China Sea within the so-called nine-dash line. It said China breached the sovereign rights of the Philippines by building artificial islands, interfering with its fishing and oil projects. China however refused to recognize the tribunal’s decision and continued to carry out controversial activities, such as sailing of ships within the Philippine waters.