PANO – After two days, the 6th South China Sea (East Sea) International Conference was closed on the afternoon of November 18th in Da Nang city. During discussions, domestic and international scholars contributed a large number of confidential, valuable ideas with the aim of enhancing understanding and cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the East Sea.
>> Peace, stability and security in the East Sea benefit all
Vietnam‘s EEZs defined on firm legal bases
At the conference, multi-dimensional viewpoints on the issue of the East Sea was shared in a frank and friendly manner, and various respects relating to the issue, such as geopolitics, international relations and international law, were also thoroughly discussed.
Regarding contradictions among involved parties on the understanding and application of international law, international scholars deeply analyzed legal bases of claims for seas, islands and islets as well as exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shells and air defence identification zones (ADIZs) in the overlapping areas, and shared experiences in successfully setting up and applying maritime dispute solving mechanisms on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The conference attracting hundred delegates
Scholars also pointed out the process of shaping the legal procedures for national 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zones, under which coastal countries have special legitimate authority to develop and manage natural resources in their EEZs. Comparing international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982, Vietnam has firm legal bases for its sovereignty and jurisdiction over EEZs, extending 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline.
Avoiding unilateral activities to change the status quo
One of the successes in the discussions was that scholars gave a number of good ideas and initiatives to manage and deal with disputes in the East Sea. They underlined that in the current context with tension and complex developments in the East Sea, involved parties first should try to restrain themselves, avoiding unilateral policy and action in an attempt to change the status quo in the East Sea. According to international scholars, activities to build up islets and create man-made islands with the aim of turning reefs and rock features into military bases within disputed areas in the East Sea, or a nation’s attempt to establish the air defence identification zone in the East Sea to consolidate its claim for disputed seas and islands, run against international law and increase distrust among regional nations, leading to a more complex situation and possibly to armed conflict.
Delegates at the conference, therefore, underlined the high need to conform to the current regional agreements, including the Declaration on the conduct of parties in the East Sea (DOC), at the same time promote regional cooperation via international and regional forums and multilateral mechanisms, especially those hosted by ASEAN.
Shaping dispute management mechanisms
Alongside regional cooperation, international scholars suggested setting up dispute management mechanisms and encouraging involved parties to closely cooperate with each other in order to agree on a common explanation and application of international law in dealing with differences and disputes in the East Sea.
Some of the suggestions include: early agreeing on a code of conduct of parties in the East Sea to strengthen the compliance of international law in the East Sea; clarifying Term 5 of DOC, determining encouraging and acceptable moves of parties as well as restricted moves to guarantee the status quo and create a favorable environment for cooperation and tackling disputes in the East Sea; discussing common principles on activities of military and law enforcement forces in seas in order to ensure freedom of navigation, maritime safety and security, prevent possible clashes and unexpected incidents in the East Sea, and minimize problems caused by a regional nation’s unilaterally imposing regulations on boats and citizens of other nations operating in the overlapping areas; building up cooperation mechanisms in nontraditional security areas, such as piracy prevention, search and rescue; promoting information sharing approaches, channels and mechanisms; and strengthening cooperation in exploiting, managing marine resources as well as protecting and preserving the sea environment.
Some scholars said that the recent complex situation in the East Sea required member nations of ASEAN and its partners inside and outside the region to play a more active role in seeking solutions to the East Sea issue.
Sharing the view, two researchers Bruno Hellendorff and Vu Truong Minh held that EU, which also has numerous strategic interests in the East Sea, has succeeded in preventing and managing disputes and composed a good deal of international law and regulation, should share experience and assist regional countries in tackling disputes in the East Sea.
At the closing ceremony, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Director of the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy urged that domestic and international scholars continue to study the issues they have not yet agreed on during discussions.
“We hope that delegates would continue to make more contributions, helping policy makers of regional countries, public opinion and people better understand new geo-strategic developments, drivers, interests and actors that impact the East Sea situation, at the same time avoid incorrect understanding, reduce wrong calculation and potential risks,” the chairman emphasized in his closing remarks.
By Bao Trung Translated by Thu Nguyen
Đăng ký: VietNam News
