Meeting in Manila and the search to avoid conflict in the South China Sea

(Baonghean.vn) - Due to the lack of leadership from the United States, the world's only superpower in the East Sea issue, China - the world's new superpower and the largest country claiming sovereignty over the East Sea, "blatantly" threatens or "bullies" smaller Southeast Asian neighbors.

From November 13 to 15, leaders of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet in Manila and Clark (Philippines) to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related conferences.

The leaders are expected to discuss the South China Sea issue, which is deeply divisive among ASEAN member countries and there is no common policy among the countries claiming sovereignty over the South China Sea.

Disputed area of ​​the East Sea. Photo: AP

Earlier, speaking to the press after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October, Mr. Yao Wen, Deputy Director General of Policy Planning of the Asian Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, affirmed: "China will never seek to militarize the East Sea." However, this official admitted that the country has built some structures such as lighthouses and hospitals on disputed islands and reefs.

China’s actions in the South China Sea have been causing concern around the world. However, expert Donald K. Emmerson from Stanford University commented: “China will continue to challenge the ruling of the international arbitration court in The Hague, which affirmed that it is violating the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the South China Sea. Manila, the “plaintiff”, chose not to urge Beijing to enforce this ruling.

Satellite images show China's military expansion on Woody Island, the largest island in the Paracel Islands. Photo: AP

Instead, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte “turned victory into defeat” when he was shaken by the prospect of receiving aid from China, fear of Beijing’s anger as well as the uncertainty of US deterrence action.

Although China has agreed to a framework agreement on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC) with ASEAN countries, the COC negotiations should not be prolonged as this would only benefit Beijing.

Therefore, countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand need to make efforts to encourage other ASEAN member countries to maintain solidarity and comply with ASEAN's 6-point principles on the East Sea. ASEAN leaders need to effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon complete the COC, a legally binding and effective document on the East Sea.

To put pressure on Beijing and avoid conflicts related to the East Sea issue, ASEAN is in dire need of global support, and the Manila Summit, especially the East Asia Summit (EAS), will be an appropriate forum to gain support and maintain ASEAN's key role./.

Lan Ha

(According to Eurasia Review)