Guaranteeing tranquility and navigation freedom in the East Sea remains a top priority for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
KUALA LUMPUR — In a bid to maintain stability and ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, also known as the East Sea in Vietnam, ASEAN leaders have reaffirmed their commitment during the recently concluded 46th ASEAN Summit. The summit, held under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," issued a Chairman's Statement on May 28, urging all parties to adhere to a rules-based order and refrain from actions that could escalate disputes or jeopardize peace and security.
The statement highlighted the significance of fostering trust and confidence among claimant states and other stakeholders. ASEAN leaders emphasized the need for parties to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through peaceful means, respectful of legal and diplomatic processes and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Crucially, ASEAN leaders reiterated the importance of fully implementing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and making progress in the ongoing negotiations toward a long-awaited Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. The conclusion of a legally binding COC is acknowledged as key to managing tensions and ensuring maritime security in the region.
Despite ongoing challenges and disagreements, particularly over the status, scope, and enforcement mechanisms of the COC, ASEAN remains optimistic about making progress. Negotiations between ASEAN member states and China have been underway since 2002, with the Philippines urging for a quicker adoption of a legally binding agreement during the 46th ASEAN Summit. China, however, has expressed reservations over such a binding agreement, advocating for terms that would limit joint military activities with external powers and restrict resource exploration to regional partnerships.
Regional experts and analysts are cautious about the timeline for the completion of the COC, with some suggesting it may still be a decade away, given the intricate geopolitical dynamics and competing national interests at play. Despite these challenges, ASEAN and China remain committed to finalizing the code, with the Philippines expressing readiness to implement any agreements reached.
Plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26. - VNA/VNS Photo
The Chairman's Statement, containing 139 points, includes ASEAN's stance on the East Sea under the section addressing regional and international issues. The hope is that this renewed call for action will facilitate progress in the negotiations and bring the region one step closer to a more secure and stable future in the South China Sea.
- The 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the long-awaited Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, key to managing tensions and ensuring maritime security, were highlighted as crucial by ASEAN leaders.
- Regional experts and analysts have suggested that the completion of the COC may take another decade due to the intricate geopolitical dynamics and competing national interests at play.
- The ASEAN summit's plenary session in Kuala Lumpur emphasized the importance of the COC negotiations, with the hope that the renewed call for action will bring the region one step closer to a more secure and stable future in the South China Sea.
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