Asean, China agree to continue talks on sea row

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have agreed to continue discussions on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea on a regular basis following the official launch of consultations last week.

The Philippines attended the 6th Senior Officials Meeting and 9th Joint Working Group on Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea in Suzhou, China last Sept. 14-15.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia, Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Teresita Barsana, and Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto, Jr. of the West Philippine Sea Center comprised the Philippine delegation.

At the meeting, ASEAN member-states and China held their first official consultation on a COC in the South China Sea.

Senior officials agreed on the process and modality of moving forward.

They concurred to continue official consultations on the COC on a regular basis, and make regular reports to foreign ministers.

They tasked a joint working group to hold in-depth discussions on all aspects of the COC, including consideration of expert services that would support the work of official consultations.

The Philippines also expressed its position that the COC should be legally-binding and developed through a deliberate process of intergovernmental negotiations.

The Philippines also called for respect for principles of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, particularly the non-use of force or coercion.

Garcia said the international community is expecting ASEAN and China to make progress on the COC.

He said that to maintain momentum, official talks should be held regularly and that the discussions should be substantive and should aim to establish rules and norms of behavior that would contribute to the enhancement of peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region.