RP, Vietnam push stronger language against China

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 7): RP, Vietnam push stronger language against China

ASEAN  wrangles over South China Sea statement

Southeast Asian nations were at loggerheads Thursday over how hard to press China on its contentious efforts to assert control over the flashpoint South China Sea, with the issue threatening to fray regional unity.

China has sparked alarm by expanding tiny reefs and constructing military posts, steps viewed by some of its neighbors as violating a regional pledge against provocative actions in the area.

Diplomatic sources told Agence France Presse that the Philippines and Vietnam, in particular, were pushing for stronger language on Chinese land reclamation, which could help shore up Beijing’s disputed territorial claims.

But there was pushback from traditional China allies among the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which is meeting this week in Malaysia, they added.

“China’s friends are taking a hard stance,” said one diplomat familiar with the drafting.

The diplomat did not specify which countries were taking a hard line, but Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar traditionally ally with China within Asean.

The tug-of-war raises the specter of a 2012 Asean meeting hosted by Cambodia, when the bloc was unable for the first time in its four-decade history to issue a joint statement.

Cambodia was accused of precipitating the debacle by refusing to allow criticism of China over its maritime territorial assertions.

“China has already figured out how Asean works on the South China Sea, it knows how to divide us. Look at what happened in Cambodia,” one diplomat at the talks in Kuala Lumpur told AFP.

Envoys from 27 nations — including the United States and China — were in Kuala Lumpur for the final day of regional security talks dominated by long-running disputes over the strategic sea.

Beijing claims control over nearly the entire South China Sea, a key shipping route thought to hold rich oil and gas reserves.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei — all Asean members — also have various claims, as does Taiwan, many of which overlap.

Each year the regional bloc, which prides itself on its history of consensus diplomacy, releases a joint communique after the annual meeting of its foreign ministers, which took place Tuesday.

Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam told reporters Thursday morning that the joint statement was supposed to have been completed the previous day.

“It has not been finalized as of now. There are difficulties,” he said.

“The paragraphs relating to the South China Sea are causing some problems,” he added.

A draft of the communique obtained by AFP makes no mention of halting reclamation.

 

Instead it warns that recent developments in the sea “have the very potential of undermining peace, security and stability.”

It adds: “There is an imperative need to urgently address the erosion of trust and corrosion of confidence among parties on these matters.”

Delegates said they still hoped to get a final joint statement by the end of the day.

The United States and Southeast Asian nations have called for a halt to further land reclamation and construction.

China had so far refused, but on Wednesday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said land reclamation had “already stopped.”

But some delegates in Kuala Lumpur have played down those claims.

One diplomat told reporters: “They’re not saying they’re stopping construction, nor are they saying they’ll stop future reclamation.”

The Philippines said it would only be satisfied once Beijing halts construction in the disputed sea.
“Beyond halt to reclamation, the Philippine position includes (a) halt to construction and halt to all actions that escalate tension,” presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma told reporters.

Walk the talk—RP

The Philippine government yesterday called on China to halt all its activities in the disputed sea to substantially back up its statements that it has already stopped reclamation activities in the disputed areas, as it called on Beijing to stop construction of facilities as well and refrain from engaging in actions that would further escalate tensions in the region.

Coloma said that the words and actions of China must correspond, noting that the international community is all eyes on the South China Sea. He banked on the diplomatic approach of the Philippine government which he claims has earned more support than China’s aggressive stance.

“What is important is that the words and actions fall in line. In our view this is also what is given importance of the international community. That’s why our action reaps more support,” Coloma said in a Palace briefing.

“Even if they (China) said they stopped, which is still to be verified, the aspect of construction has not yet stopped, and according to some observers, it’s already in the second phase that’s why it also needs to be stopped,” he added, in reaction to Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement of Beijing having stopped reclamation work.

Yi said that the China’s actions have been triggered by calls mounted by the international community for China to halt its activities in the region, namely the building of man-made islands in waters whose respective territorial assessment is yet to be finalized.

But, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose disputed China’s claims, saying that it has only stopped because it was finished already with mounting sand to create artificial islands. He and the Palace added that facilities and other features in the islands are in the second phase of construction already.

“On the statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario… he said there should be a halt to reclamation, halt to construction, and halt to activities that temper escalation of tensions in the region,” Coloma said, taking note of the Cabinet Secretary’s position in the same Asean meeting.

“Moreover, all actions that may add tension should stop because what we believe is the rules-based and diplomatic approach, that’s why we let it through the forum of the Asean, which has a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties since 2002…There needs to be a legally binding code of conduct now that would give substance to the previous agreement,” he added.

Yi called on the Asean to create the international agreement immediately, but Malacañang said that it is not for China to say, noting that “It is the decision of the countries in Asean since there are two parties: China and Asean.”

Malacañang wants the next administration to adopt the same diplomatic and rules-based approach of the Aquino administration in dealing with China, even when other hopefuls have already aired their views on the issue, with more saying that there’s a need for bilateral talks.

Coloma said that the Palace does not believe that the government transition would put the Philippines in a vulnerable position, noting several country blocs that have expressed support for Manila’s stance, namely the G7 and the European group.

The Palace official warned the next administration not to abruptly disregard “long-term consequences” of their respective stance against China if they win the presidential derby next year.
“That’s our belief as the right action because of the reality we face. That’s why the President said last week that the coming election is a referendum of the straight path, with this one in the aspect of foreign policy,” Coloma said.

DND: China disrespected claimants

The Department of National Defense (DND) yesterday said the reported stoppage of Chinese reclamation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea does not change the fact that they have disrespected other claimant-nations in the area by violating agreements.

Peter Paul Galvez, spokesman of DND, said that the fact remains that China’s aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea placed the region in crisis despite Beijing’s announcement that it has stopped reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea.

“Although we welcome the announcement, it is better if you ask the Chinese government about that,” said Galvez.

“Nonetheless, a stop in the reclamation doesn’t change the fact that they have violated the agreement among states, disrespected nations in the area and violated our maritime rights placing the region in crisis,” he added.

Galvez also challenged China to pull out all of its equipment from the disputed area if only to prove its sincerity.

“Furthermore, the region would be glad to see a genuine proof of sincerity. The best proof would be the pull out of all equipment as a clear and unequivocal manifestation of that announcement,” said Galvez.

Asked if there are efforts being undertaken by the DND to check on the reported stoppage of Chinese reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, Galvez replied “that’s operational. Cannot comment.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines for its part, said that such positive development in the West Philippine Sea is always welcome.

“That’s good news for all the Filipinos if that is true,” said Col. Noel Detoyato, Public Affairs Office chief of the military.

“Any positive development can ease the tension, so it is good for everybody,” he added.

Detoyato, however, said that the AFP is yet to get updated reports on the activities in the West Philippine Sea.

Navigation restrictions won’t be tolerated—US

Washington will not tolerate any navigation restrictions in the South China Sea, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday at a regional security meeting dominated by tensions over Beijing’s island building.

“Let me be clear: The United States will not accept restrictions on freedom of navigation and overflight, or other lawful uses of the sea. These are intrinsic rights that we all share,” he said according to a transcript of his remarks.

Kerry made his comments at a security meeting hosted by the Asean in Kuala Lumpur.

“I have urged all claimants to make a joint commitment to halt further land reclamation and construction of new facilities or militarization on disputed features,” Kerry told delegates, arguing such a step would “lower tensions”.

 http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/rp-vietnam-push-stronger-language-against-china