ASEAN urges restraint in South China Sea disputes

NAYPYITAW – The foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) have called on all parties involved in the South China Sea territorial disputes to exercise self-restraint and to settle disputes by peaceful means.

In a joint statement issued at the 24th ASEAN summit today (May 10), they expressed serious concerns over rising tensions in the contested waters rich in oil and gas. They also stressed the urgency to conclude the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, which could help to guide countries’ behaviour on their claims in the area.

Urging relevant parties to act in accordance with principles of international law, the foreign ministers reiterated the importance of maintaining stability and maritime security in the region.

Over the past week, the Chinese were involved in separate stand-offs with the Filipinos and Vietnamese. The Philippines officials had seized a Chinese fishing vessel over alleged illegal hunting activities. Separately, China accused Vietnam of intentionally colliding with its ships, while Vietnam asserted that Chinese vessels used water cannons and rammed its vessels into Vietnamese ships.

The Vietnam-China spat came after China mounted an oil rig in a part of the South China Sea which is also claimed by the Vietnamese. The United States have sinceweighed in to deem China’s deployment of the rig as “provocative and unhelpful” to security in the region, prompting China to blame the US for stoking tensions.

Singapore’s Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam told reporters after the foreign ministers’ meeting that there was unanimous consent among them to issue a statement. This is to lend credence to the ASEAN body, whose credibility has suffered over the last few years, he said...........[todayonline.com]
10/5/14
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