Golez: CODE (COC) TO PROHIBIT ACTS ON REEFS, SHOALS, ETC, W/C CHINA RECLAMATION ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED, THUS MOOT & ACADEMIC FOR CHINA. CODE MAY EVEN WORK AGAINST PH INTERESTS. @inquirerdotnet Asean, China to start talks on code of conduct over sea dispute https://t.co/fd0Z3jFABe
The 2002 ASEAN-CHINA DECLARATION ON THE CONDUCT OF PARTIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA called for the adoption of a Code of Conduct to establish how the parties should conduct themselves in the South China Sea, especially on territorial and sea matters, This 2002 Declaration provided the following (Paragraph 5):
"5. The Parties undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner."
China flagrantly violated the above with their massive reclamation projects and artificial island building. These are among the prohibited acts contemplated in the proposed Code of Conduct. For 15 years, China avoided discussions on the proposed Code of Conduct and now appears to agree only after completing their massive island building projects expected to be soon militarized.
What could happen with the Code of Conduct, once crafted and approved, is that it is the other countries, like the Philippines, that would be prohibited from doing certain acts, like improving and maintaining facilities, to our great disadvantage and jeopardy. While China would go scot free having achieved already their plan in the South China Sea aimed at militarizing the region to the detriment of the Philippines and other countries.
Therefore, the Code of Conduct will just favor China's fait accompli and will be against our national interest.
Asean, China to start talks on code of conduct over sea dispute
By: Jhoanna Ballaran - Reporter / @JhoannaBINQ
INQUIRER.net / 12:41 PM November 13, 2017
This July 20, 2011 file aerial photo, taken through the window of a closed aircraft, shows Pag-asa Island, part of the disputed Spratly group of islands, in the South China Sea located off the coast of western Philippines. (AP FILE PHOTO)
The leaders of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China are set to announce on Monday the beginning of talks over the long-overdue code of conduct (COC) on the disputed South China Sea (SCS), citing the importance of maintaining stability in the region.
In a draft statement obtained by INQUIRER.net, the Asean and China are expected to adopt “in its entirety” the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the disputed waters adopted by the foreign ministers of Asean member countries and China in August.
According to the document, the Asean is “pleased to announce that as a next step, Asean Member States have agreed to officially commence negotiations with China on the COC.”
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“While the situation is calmer now, we cannot take the current progress for granted. [It is] important that we cooperate to maintain peace, stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the SCS, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea],” the draft statement also read.
“It is in our collective interest to avoid miscalculations that could lead to escalation of tensions. We therefore reiterate our commitment to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SCS (DOC) in its entirety,” it added.
The details of the framework are still unknown as it has not been made public yet.
The Asean welcomed the developments between the bloc and China on the issue, calling it an “important milestone” in the parties’ relation.
“Trust that we will continue this positive momentum and work towards a substantive and effective COC,” the draft statement noted.
The Asean also said it is looking forward to the “early conclusion” of the COC.
The statement is expected to be read at the 20th Asean-China summit to be attended by leaders of the Asean member states with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The meet is part of the 31st Asean Summit and Related Summit currently being held in different venues in Manila.
The call for the Asean and China to come up with a COC has increased as tensions arise between and among the states—including Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei—claiming parts of the disputed sea, which China wholly claims.
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The Philippine has questioned China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea before the United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal in The Hague and scored a victory against China. /kga
Check out our Asean 2017 special site for important information and latest news on the 31st Asean Summit to be held in Manila on Nov. 13-15, 2017. Visit http://inquirer.net/asean-2017.
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