PH, Vietnam seek adoption of ASEAN Code of Conduct in South China Sea

From InterAksyon (Apr 27): PH, Vietnam seek adoption of ASEAN Code of Conduct in South China Sea



President Aquino and Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, 26 April 2015. MALACANANG PHOTO

The Philippines and Vietnam will seek the adoption of the ASEAN Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to avoid the escalation of disputes in the area, as China continues to exert its power and influence the crucial trade route.

At the ongoing ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Aquino and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam pledged to work for the adoption by ASEAN of a legally binding code that will effectively implement the Declaration made by ASEAN countries and China in 2002.  

Thirteen years after ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea, there is still no enforceable mechanism that binds the 10 ASEAN member-countries and China on the Declaration’s principles of self-restraint and avoidance of disputes for the region’s peace and stability.

According to presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma, the two leaders expressed concern over the reclamation activities undertaken by China that clearly indicate violation of the Declaration provision against “inhabiting previously uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features,” even as they compared notes on incidents of harassment that “add to tension” in the South China Sea.

Better PH, Vietnam relations

The prime minister of Vietnam noted that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is “thriving in all aspects” as he called for a meaningful observance of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016. He cited significant progress achieved in rice trade cooperation and in the strategic defense dialogue between the two countries that includes maritime cooperation.

Upon Nguyen’s request, Aquino said he will direct the Department of Justice to work for the speedy completion of the ongoing trial of 31 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested in Sulu for illegal fishing activities, Coloma said.

Joining the President in the meeting were Secretaries Albert del Rosario, Cesar Purisima, Gregory Domingo, Arsenio Balisacan, Corazon Soliman, Jose Rene Almendras, Julia Abad, and Coloma, and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya. 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/109509/ph-vietnam-seek-adoption-of-asean-code-of-conduct-in-south-china-sea