Aquino, Vietnam PM push for Code of Conduct in South China Sea

President Benigno Aquino III greets Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during a bilateral meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on April 26, 2015, at the sidelines of the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – President Benigno Aquino III and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Sunday evening agreed to work together for a legally binding agreement on the conduct of nations in South China Sea.

The bilateral meeting, held at the sidelines of the 26^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC), came at a time when both countries face China’s aggressive reclamation efforts in disputed areas in South China Sea.

Aquino and Dung, together with their ministers, met and shook hands in front of the press before proceeding with their closed-door meeting.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the two leaders “pledged to work for the adoption by Asean of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) that will effectively implement the Declaration made by Asean countries and China on the exercise of self-restraint and avoidance of escalation of disputes that will affect regional peace and stability.”

“The two leaders expressed concern over the reclamation activities undertaken by China that clearly indicate violation of the DOC provision against ‘inhabiting previously uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features,’” Coloma said.

The meeting was held several hours after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario warned the Asean anew on the “destabilizing” actions of China in the region. He said that if China finishes its reclamation activities before the creation of the COC, it would “render the [Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea] irrelevant.” The said declaration was signed in 2002 by Asean nations and China in a bid to promote peace in the area.

READ: PH calls China double-dealing, asks Asean to assert leadership

Coloma said the two heads of state “compared notes on incidents of harassment that add to tension in the South China Sea.”

Just last week, satellite images of Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef), which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, showed China’s alleged construction of an airstrip.

Dung, on the other hand, said the relationship between the Philippines and Vietnam has been “thriving in all aspects. In 2016, the diplomatic relations of the two countries will reach its 40^th year.

Among the collaboration raised by the Prime Minister were on rice trade and maritime cooperation through a strategic defense dialogue.

READ: PH, Vietnam working on strategic pact amid sea dispute

Aquino earlier revealed that Vietnam had approached him for the crafting of a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries. Malacañang confirmed that the two governments are still ironing out the details on the strategic partnership agreement, the contents of which has yet to be shared with the public.

On the other hand, Aquino, acting on Vietnam’s request, said he would “direct” the Department of Justice to ensure the speedy completion of the trial of 31 Vietnamese fishermen caught in Sulu for illegal fishing.

Attending the meeting were Secretaries Albert del Rosario, Cesar Purisima, Gregory Domingo, Arsenio Balisacan, Corazon Soliman, Jose Rene Almendras, Julia Abad and Herminio Coloma, and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya.