Asean Raps Chinese Sea Aggression
Southeast Asian foreign ministers have expressed concern at Chinese land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea, as the Philippines urged them to stand up to Beijing, reports AFP.
The statement came after Manila warned fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a ministers' retreat in Malaysia that the 10-country grouping's credibility was at stake unless it dealt strongly with the "critical issue in our own backyard".
ASEAN will push for an early conclusion of a maritime pact to defuse tension in the South China Sea, as the Philippines decried the grouping's inaction over reclamation activities by China in disputed waters.
"The retreat shared the concern raised by some foreign ministers on land reclamation in the South China Sea," said a statement by the gathering's host, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, following the two-day meeting. It mentioned no specific countries.
"The ministers instructed our senior officials to intensify efforts towards achieving the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work vigorously towards the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea,” Aman said. The Code of Conduct is basically a set of rules for the resolution of disputes.
As chair for ASEAN this year, Malaysia faces the challenge of ensuring the issue of South China Sea does not flare up.
Aman added the issue was relevant not just to Asean member states, but also the world at large in line with the call for freedom of navigation and safe passage. “We have good relations with China and always maintain that any territorial dispute be resolved under international law. It involves two parties, meaning it has to be between China and Asean.”
Asean, he stressed, could not work alone, but said China “has been very positive about it”.
Philippine foreign minister Albert del Rosario said last week Beijing was trying to construct islands around isolated reefs in the Spratly islands, which could hold fortified positions or even airstrips. "The massive reclamation issue presents a strategic policy dilemma for Asean," he said in a statement.
