On November 11th and 12th, 2013, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in collaboration with the Vietnam Lawyers’ Association organized the 5th International Conference on East Sea with the theme “South China Sea: Cooperation for regional security and development ” with the participation of more than 200delegates representing governments, academics, experts from ASEAN countries, China, Japan, Korea, USA, Australia and diplomatic corps in Viet Nam.
Prof.Dang Dinh Quy, Director of Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, said that in said in the past five years since the first South China Sea International Workshop, the East Sea situation has undergone significant positive changes. Accordingly, concerned parties’ and regional countries’ awareness on the role of the South China Sea has been raised as South China Sea-related issues are not only responsibility of the parties involved but also the international community’s. Over the years, the South China Sea has become an area of regional and international common concern. In the upcoming time, ASEAN will continue to push involved parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and accelerate the negotiating process of COC.
Comprising of 8 countries along the coast of the South China Sea, over which 4 out of 8 claim sovereignty, ASEAN plays an important role in the safeguarding regional peace and stability. Without peace and stability in the South China Sea, ASEAN could hardly succeed in build the ASEAN Community. In 2013, ASEAN and China has started consultations on COC with comprehensive content and legally binding. This initiative of the organization has been highly regarded by international scholars. The beneficiaries in the South China Sea have been striving for security and development in the region. The international community expects hope for continuing peace, cooperation and stability in South China Sea in 2013.
As assessed by Prof. Carlyle Thayer (Australian Defense Force Academy), over the last few years ASEAN has carried out plenty of positive initiatives to strengthen internal solidarity and launched consultations with China on the COC. Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand have made important contribution to retrieving ASEAN’s solidarity and status in the South China Sea issues. Dr. Ralf Emmers , S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Singapore ), said that the competition between China and the U.S. in the South China Sea will continue in the upcoming years, thus, ASEAN needs to maintain unity, otherwise it will lose political status at forums that ASEAN has long been dominant.
In addition to multilateral efforts, bilateral efforts play a key part in resolving the situation in the South China Sea. Specifically, 2013 witnessed two visits of great importance, including Vietnam President’s visit to China and Chinese Prime Minister’s to Vietnam. In these visits, Vietnam and China have made great efforts to resolve tensions in the South China Sea .
At the workshop, the participants stressed the importance of observance of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on Law of Sea. Professor Clive Symmons (Ireland) said the historical doctrine is groundless in modern international law. Therefore, the so-called ” U-shaped line ” of China that ” licks ” nearly all of the South China Sea cannot be based on historical doctrine. China needs to clarify the legal basis of the ” U-shaped line “.
The two-day event includes 9 thematic discussion sessions about the new developments in the South China Sea, relevant international treaties, the implementation of DOC as well as the role of ASEAN and the major powers of the world in dispute resolution and conflict management.
This workshop is the opportunity to exchange and enhance understanding of common interests in maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation in the South China Sea. Besides, the workshop is expected to receive proposed measures to strengthen security and cooperation as well as solutions to the disputes in the South China Sea.
Mai Chi
Đăng ký: VietNam News