Cambodia hosts this week's Asean summit and the Asean Regional Forum. Photo courtesy of http://asean2012.mfa.gov.kh/ |
Posted Monday,
July 9th, 2012
Southeast Asian officials meeting this week in Cambodia are pushing
for a long-sought solution for resolving territorial disputes in the
South China Sea, an area claimed in part by six nations.
ASEAN foreign ministers approved a set of guidelines last year that
they hoped would lead to a code of conduct. But with no binding deal,
disputes have continued.
Last month, Vietnam protested China's decision to post bids on
offshore oil blocks in the South China Sea, which is home to vast
fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits. Vietnam said the
areas were entirely within its exclusive economic zone and continental
shelf, and its National Assembly passed a law stating its claims in the
area.
China strongly criticized the law, saying it was illegal.
Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia also claim territory in the sea.
At the opening of the annual ASEAN foreign ministers meeting Monday,
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stressed the need for an agreement.
“We should put emphasis on the implementation of the Declaration of
Conduct, including the eventual conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the
South China Sea. In addition, we need to ensure the official launching
of the ASEAN Institute of Peace and Reconciliation and the conclusion
of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at the (upcoming) 21st ASEAN
Summit in order to promote peace and reconciliation and human rights
protection in the region.”
ASEAN and China signed a Declaration of Conduct in 2002 that calls
for free navigation in the South China Sea, resolving disputes
peacefully, and respect for international agreements, including the U.N.
Convention on the Law of the Sea.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will take part in the ASEAN
talks during a two-week Asian tour. She told reporters Sunday in Tokyo
that every nation has an interest in the freedom of navigation and
“unimpeded, lawful commerce in the South China Sea.”
“Therefore we believe the nations of the Asia Pacific region should
work collaboratively and diplomatically to resolve their disputes
without coercion, without intimidation, without threats, and without
conflict. We want to see all parties with claims – whether they are
land or maritime claims – pursue them in accordance with international
law, including as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.”
The European Union and 161 countries have ratified the U.N. treaty
that went into effect in 1994. The pact governs how nations may use the
world's oceans and the resources they contain.
The United States is the only industrialized nation that has not signed the treaty.
Clinton and top U.S. military leaders urged the Senate to approve
joining the treaty during hearings in May, but former top officials,
including ex-defense chief Donald Rumsfeld said they opposed the move. A
vote is not expected before the November presidential election.
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