Philippines Voices Concerns About The South China Sea During ASEAN-Chinese Dialogue
JAKARTA - The Philippines voiced concerns about the situation in the South China Sea, including incidents that endangered ships and their personnel, during negotiations between ASEAN and China over the code of ethics in the waters, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.
The Philippines, which hosted the final round of talks last week, also reaffirmed its commitment to resolve disputes peacefully and pursue a constructive diplomatic approach in managing differences at sea, the ministry said in a statement.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China pledged in 2002 to code the code of ethics, but it took 15 years to start discussions and progress slowly.
During negotiations from April 9-11, the two parties also discussed the so-called "important issues," the Philippine Foreign Ministry said.
These issues refer to important points, including the scope of the code and whether the code can legally bind.
"The meeting was an opportunity for the Philippines to firmly call for the need to strictly comply with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Decision," the ministry said.
The South China Sea remains a source of tension between China and its neighboring Southeast Asian countries, with relations between Beijing and US allies Manila at its worst point in years, amid frequent confrontations that have sparked fears of turning into conflict.
In February, Philippine coast guard accused the Chinese Navy of maneuvering dangerous flights near government aircraft patrolling disputed formations in the South China Sea, a statement Beijing denies.
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Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, which it affirms through coast guard fleets and fishing militias alleged by some neighboring countries as aggression and disrupts fishing and energy activity in their exclusive economic zones.
China insists that it operates legally in its territory and does not recognize the 2016 arbitration ruling stating that its claims have no basis for international law.