China, ASEAN states begin talks on 'code of conduct' for disputes

Signaling increased efforts at maintaining peace in the region, China and Southeast Asian countries have initiated discussions to draw up a code of conduct to better prevent South China Sea territorial disputes from becoming full-blown armed conflicts. In a press briefing, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchai said concerned parties are discussing the code of conduct at the working level, He, however, did not give further details. “They have worked on some of the outlines of the document and I think that consultations are still going on. (China) is ready to work with the other parties concerned on this document," Liu said. He added that the inclusion of sanctions against claimant states that will be found to have violated the code is likewise under consultation. China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), however, have yet to set a deadline for the ongoing negotiations. The South China Sea territories – which include islands, shoals, islets, atolls, cays and reefs – are believed to be rich sources of minerals and oil reserves. The territories are considered as one of the major sources of dispute in Asia, as it is being claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. Southeast Asian states such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and China signed in 2002 a landmark yet non-binding code to reduce the tension among the territories’ claimants. The code seeks to maintain the status quo and temporarily put ownership issues aside. The code likewise prohibits any activity that might worsen the situation in the area, and instead encourages activities that build mutual trust and cooperation among the claimants. China previously rejected a formal regional code of conduct drafted by the Philippines and Vietnam in 1999, saying it legitimizes the claims of other states in the territories. The People’s Republic, however, is now “open to different formulas and initiatives in preserving peace, prosperity and stability in this region," according to Liu. “Anything that is conducive to such goal will be welcomed by the Chinese side," he said. “The most important thing for us is that everybody should move forward in the spirit of cooperation." Beijing has consistently maintained “indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea territories. Liu likewise said China wants concerned countries to “seriously consider" its proposals on cooperation in the area.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV