Aquino: China's airstrip affirms need for ASEAN Code of Conduct

From Rappler (May 19): Aquino: China's airstrip affirms need for ASEAN Code of Conduct

President Aquino says the region needs something more 'enforceable' and 'operational' than the current Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea

China's construction of a suspected airstrip in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) proves the need for the ASEAN Code of Conduct, according to President Benigno Aquino III.

Just days after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released photos showing the construction on Mabini Reef in the Spratlys, Aquino emphasized the need for something more concrete to guide actions in the region.

He said that at present ASEAN has a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) with China, but that it is not enough.

"In my view, what happened in Mischief Reef back in the day, what is being done now, all these are seemingly in violation with the agreed upon Declaration of Conduct," Aquino told reporters on Monday, May 19.

"The problem with the declaration is that it's not binding, it's not enforceable or operational. For it to become operational and enforceable, we need a Code of Conduct. That's why in 2012 in Cambodia, we pushed for the quick finalization of this Code of Conduct to stop this dispute or the potential to sow chaos."

During the 2012 summit, the Philippines criticized Cambodia over the "unprecedented" absence of the traditional joint statement from the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said then that he simply wanted the statement to include his discussion on Scarborough Shoal. At the time, Manila was accusing Beijing of installing blocks on the shoal.

The ASEAN ministers' summit, however, ended not only without a mention of the disputed area, but with the absence of a joint statement altogether.

A lot have happened since then as both the Philippines and China insisted on their stand as far as the West Philippine Sea was concerned.

The latest was the protest lodged by the Philippines against China for the reclamation on Mabini Reef, which the Chinese snubbed.

Aquino said China's action is a clear violation of the declaration, which reads: “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.”

He said this provision, which disallows any new facilities until territorial disputes are resolved, was clearly breached.

In the last ASEAN summit in Myanmar earlier this month, Aquino again urged neighboring countries to finalize a Code of Conduct as soon as possible.

http://www.rappler.com/world/specials/southeast-asia/asean-journey/58399-airstrip-china-code-of-conduct-asean