(VOVworld) – The 24th ASEAN summit will open in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw on Sunday with the participation of state leaders of 10 member countries. Taking place amidst complicated security incidents in the East Sea especially China’s illegal placing of its oil rig on Vietnam’s continental shelf, the summit is a forum for Vietnam to express its jurisdiction to protect its sea and island sovereignty. It’s also an opportunity for ASEAN countries to confirm unity, a factor for building “one community, one destiny.”
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| ASEAN leaders at the 23rd ASEAN summit in Brunei |
Although only some of the 10 ASEAN countries have sovereignty in the East Sea, the East Sea topic has been frequently discussed at ASEAN summits and meetings. It’s not a bilateral issue of some directly involved countries, but ensuring peace, stability, and marine security in the East Sea has been a common concern of countries around the world.
The East Sea is a highlight on the agenda
The world, especially ASEAN countries, has paid special attention to China’s illegal action of deploying an oil rig in a sea area under Vietnam’s sovereignty. The 24th ASEAN summit will focus regional peace and security. On May 6, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh told reporters. “This issue will be high on the agenda of state leaders and ministerial meetings. ASEAN leaders will express their views and urge involved parties to practice restraint, abide by international law, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, resolve disputes by peaceful means, and refrain from threatening or using force in the East Sea. ASEAN has rules including the 6-point declaration signed in July, 2012. ASEAN leaders will re-affirm these principles.”
The ASEAN six-point declaration includes a principle guaranteeing peace, stability, and marine and air security and safety in the East Sea, and a commitment to abide by international law and marine conventions, follow the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work toward a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC). In dealing with disputes, countries are urged to refrain from actions that would complicate the situation. The ultimate principle is to respect the rights of coastal countries, including their continental shelf and exclusive economic zones in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
China’s actions go against regional commitments and agreements including the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the ASEAN-China joint-statement signed on the 10th anniversary of the DOC. East Sea disputes have challenged ASEAN’s role in handling the situation.
Sharing responsibility in maintaining peace in the East Sea
It’s high time that ASEAN reconfirmed its commitment to ensuring peace and marine security and safety in the East Sea, by finalizing a firm legal framework to deal with arising problems. Le Hai Binh, Acting Chief of the Department of Press and Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “Vietnam calls on all parties to fully comply with the DOC for regional peace, stability, and development. Vietnam agrees there is a need to adopt a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea which is legally binding in all East Sea disputes to ensure regional peace, stability, and development based on the rights and interests of coastal countries.”
The publication of the ASEAN 6-point declaration in 2012 removed suspicions of indifference on the part of ASEAN countries on the East Sea issue because the 45th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting failed to issue a joint-statement.
In the past 2 years, ASEAN has reinforced its unity and promoted its central role in regional issues. National interests can not kept separate from regional interests. Not just coastal countries are involved. Other ASEAN countries must share the responsibility of maintaining peace in the East Sea.
As ASEAN countries work to adopt a COC and form a united and prosperous ASEAN community, they totally oppose all violations of commitments or disregard of international law.