Australia backs sea ‘code of conduct’

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Thursday voiced her support for the completion of a “code of conduct” aimed at reducing tensions amid China’s aggressive claim to almost all of the South China Sea.

Bishop, who is on a visit to the Philippines, said she discussed the matter with her Filipino counterpart, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

There have been heightened tensions between China and its neighbors, including the Philippines, because of disputes over maritime territory.

‘Code of conduct’

Bishop said Australia favored the push by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to craft a “code of conduct” to better manage the issues.

“In the case of the South China Sea, we support Asean objectives in concluding a code of conduct with China and we hope that there will be some early progress on that,” she said.

“We urge all sides not to escalate tensions,” she added.

Asean has been trying for more than a decade to secure agreement from China on a legally binding code of conduct aimed at reducing tensions and the risk of violence in the South China Sea.

Among Asean members are Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam, which along with China, have claims to parts or all of the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea, even up to the borders of its neighbors.

Bishop stressed that her country was not taking any side in the dispute, and urged that all issues should be resolved “peacefully.” Bishop said the South China Sea was a key interest to Australia since 60 percent of its exports and 40 percent of its imports passed through the area.

The Philippines has been seeking more international support to challenge China’s claims to the South China Sea.

Del Rosario, meanwhile, said the Philippines had been forced to seek United Nations arbitration because it had “exhausted all (other) possibilities,” in arguing its case with China.

He also said that the Philippines and Australia would be boosting their defense cooperation, especially after a “status of visiting forces agreement” between the two countries went into effect in 2012.

‘Table-top’ exercises

Australia already provides military training and education, and conducts “table-top” exercises with the Philippines but the agreement opens the door to actual joint military exercises in Philippine territory.

He also thanked Australia for the extensive aid, including the dispatch of Australian troops, ships and aircraft, given to the Philippines after Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) ravaged the central islands in November last year.