ASEAN-China SOM holds informal meeting

ASEAN and China Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) held an informal meeting in Pattaya, Thailand, from October 28 to 29.

The South China Sea and the COC were the main topics of discussion at the ASEAN-China SOM Informal Retreat. (Source: offshore-technology.com)

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, Head of ASEAN SOM, led the Vietnamese delegation to the Conference.

At the Conference, the two sides discussed measures to strengthen ASEAN-China relations and exchanged views on preparations for the ASEAN-China Summit to be held in Cambodia at the end of November 2012.

Speaking at the conference, the countries highlighted the development of the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity between ASEAN and China, affirming the need to continue efforts to promote this relationship through specific, comprehensive and effective cooperation measures.

ASEAN countries highly appreciated China's support for the ASEAN Community building process, affirming that both sides need to make efforts to promote this relationship. The countries also made a preliminary review and proposed to continue effectively implementing the ASEAN-China Action Plan for the period 2011-2015, including the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Discussing the situation in the East Sea, ASEAN countries emphasized the importance of peace, stability, security and maritime safety in the East Sea, and the early initiation of ASEAN negotiations on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC); the two sides need to continue promoting trust building, enhancing understanding and cooperation, and respecting international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

ASEAN and China affirmed the importance of seriously and fully implementing the DOC and working together to initiate discussions on the COC process; ASEAN attaches importance to strengthening the ASEAN-China partnership, while China highly values ​​ASEAN's central role in the region.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the signing of the DOC, the two sides agreed to issue a Joint Statement on the 10th Anniversary of the DOC at the ASEAN-China Summit in November to enhance peace, friendship and cooperation.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister Pham Quang Vinh affirmed the importance of the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity between ASEAN and China; and pointed out that the effective implementation of cooperation activities within the framework of the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2011-2015, including the full implementation of the DOC and the progress towards the COC, are also practical contributions to strengthening this relationship.

Regarding the East Sea, Deputy Minister Pham Quang Vinh affirmed the paramount importance of peace, stability, security and maritime safety in the East Sea to the regional situation. To achieve this, the parties need to strengthen cooperation and build trust on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, while at the same time, the parties need to fully and effectively implement the DOC and the ASEAN Six-Point Principles on the East Sea.

Regarding the construction of the COC, Deputy Minister Pham Quang Vinh emphasized that this is the common concern and interest of ASEAN, China and the region. The parties need to promptly initiate negotiations on the COC in the spirit of cooperation and responsibility to ensure that the COC becomes a more effective tool to ensure peace, stability, security and maritime safety in the East Sea, peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as compliance with international law and UNCLOS 1982, including the provisions of the Convention on respect for the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones of coastal states.

In this process, ASEAN needs to demonstrate its responsibility and central role for peace, security and common development of the region./.

According to (TTXVN) - DT