Asean draft statement: Preserve progress in diffusing sea tension

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China will not take for granted the progress they have made in seeking to diffuse tension over their overlapping claims in the disputed South China Sea.

“While the situation is calmer now, we cannot take the current progress for granted,” said a draft statement set to be released by Asean and China at the conclusion of their summit.

Asean and China underscored the importance to “cooperate to maintain peace, stability, freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Covenant on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).”

“It is our collective interest to avoid miscalculations that could lead to escalation of tensions,” the draft statement also said.

The 10-member regional bloc and Beijing  called an “important milestone” the adoption by their foreign ministers a Framework of the Code of Conduct last August as they announced “Asean member states have agreed to officially commence negotiations with China on the COC.”

“Trust that we will continue this positive momentum and work towards a substantive and effective COC,” they said.

Just like last year’s Asean-China statement, they reiterated their desire to have an early conclusion of the COC.

At press time, President Duterte has not yet emerged from the 20th Asean-China Summit he presided at the Philippine International Convention Center which was attended by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

During his opening remarks on the summit, President Duterte said the summit would be another chance for Asia and China “to assess the current status and chart the future direction of our strategic partnership.”

Li, for his part, said among Asean’s dialog partners, the relations between Asean and China were “the most dynamic and most substantive.”

“China always sees Asean as a priority in our neighborhood diplomacy. We are committed to work with Asean to the good neighbors, good friends, and good partners that always stand together, rain or shine,” Li said.