Asean foreign ministers air concern over SCS militarization—Yasay

From the Daily Tribune (Feb 22): Asean foreign ministers air concern over SCS militarization—Yasay

A number of Southeast Asian foreign ministers have aired their concern over recent develop-ments and escalation of activities in the disputed South China Sea, Philippines’ top diplomat Perfecto Yasay Jr. said at the conclusion of a high-level ministerial meeting in Boracay, Aklan yesterday.

Yasay chaired this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat which has highlighted ways to address regional and international issues such as the sea row.

China claims at least 90 percent of the South China Sea (SCS), through which $5 trillion in
trade passes annually that overlaps with the Philippines and other Asean members’ waters.

But on July 12, 2016 The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line within the entirety of the region.

In a press conference aired live, Yasay mentioned that while the Philippines has decided to shelve this ruling in preparation for a bilateral engagement with China on this issue, at least four foreign ministers from the bloc called for the respect of the court’ decision.

Asked to name the countries, Yasay said he’s “not at liberty to mention the names” but all in all, there are “two, three or four countries.”

A number of ministers also expressed grave concerns over the militarization in the area.
To recall, last year’s summit concluded with a muted reference on the issue.

According to Yasay, the Philippines will raise this award when the time is right.

“But as of now we’re pursuing a relationship with China with a two-track approach, separating the contentious issue from non-contentious ones,” he said.

He added that “while we wait for the proper timing to talk out this dispute with Beijing, we are promoting trade and investment.”

Today, as the Philippines chair this year’s Asean, Yasay said all members from the bloc and China are optimistic that a framework for a Code of Coduct in the South China Sea will be concluded by end of June 2017.

He said this CoC will be a way forward to address the competing territorial claims which have long been a major source of tension in the region.

Once formulated, the foreign affairs chief said the legal binding CoC will then proceed.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/asean-foreign-ministers-air-concern-over-scs-militarization-yasay