OVER the weekend, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered for its annual summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The global leaders discussed some of the region’s most pressing issues including economic integration, trade liberalization, sustainable growth and energy security.
With some of its members embattled with China on the contested waters of South China Sea, ASEAN expressed serious concern over the brewing tension.
In recent months, China drew ire for its aggressive stance and sweeping claims over almost the West Philippine (South China) Sea. The Philippines and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to parts of resource-rich water, which is believed to have significant oil and gas deposits.
China has also been busy militarizing the strategic water in the last two years through the creation of new outposts by piling sand atop reefs and atolls, and then adding buildings, ports and airstrips big enough to handle bombers and fighter jets.
Despite continuous calls from the international community to halt the construction, China remained adamant over its assertion to the South West Philippine (South China) Sea. The country maintained that its military activities are consistent with its position that the construction of artificial islands was designed to provide public service to the region by helping ships and fishermen and disaster relief efforts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping who attended last week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Summit in Manila, said that the sea is a common home and encouraged fellow members of the regional bloc to foster an environment of peace and focus on development.
“It is important that we establish an all-round partnership on development and mobilize the government, enterprise and social resources in concerted efforts for implementation of the sustainable development agenda,” Xi told his APEC counterparts.
For his part, Pres. Benigno Aquino III took the podium at the ASEAN in Malaysia over the weekend to appeal to the rule of law amid increasing tensions and invite his fellow ASEAN leaders to take a stand against China.
Aquino also noted that the maritime disputes have been a subject of concern, not only to the region, but to the entire international community as well. He said that many countries have expressed serious concerns that China’s recent actions threaten freedom of navigation and lawful commerce in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.
Citing peaceful resolution on the jurisdiction over the disputed waters, the Philippines has pleaded its case to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). It is now awaiting results of the preliminary hearings over the Philippine claim.
“As the arbitration process we have entered into continues to its logical conclusion, we are hopeful that China would honor its word and respect the rule of law. The world is watching and expects no less from a responsible global leader,” Aquino said.
During the summit, ASEAN leaders adopted the Declaration on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation, which promotes peace, stability and security in the region. It aims to initiate cooperative efforts within its members by encouraging more countries to accede to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which ensures the universal application of international law and respect for sovereignty. It guarantees that all countries enjoy and exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.
The leaders also signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” the region’s post-2015 vision which charts the direction of the ASEAN Community in the next 10 years.
Allies not only by common interests, but by shared values and aspirations among its people, ASEAN will set precedents for creating solution to global challenges. Despite obstacles set by conflicts among nations, ASEAN is moving forward to pursue higher goals. By 2025, the ASEAN community is sure to meet its vision of becoming an alliance that has withstood the test of time, assuring regional peace and stability for its people. (AJPress)
