Draft framework for South China Sea code of conduct a sign of progress
- By Rabi Sankar Bosu
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E-mail China.org.cn, May 26, 2017
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Soldiers on a flight deck deploy a floating target to act as the simulated enemy destroyer during a drill in the South China Sea on Feb 19, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] |
The signing took place during the 14th Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), held on May 18 in China's Guizhou Province.
The advancement of the COC consultative process is a definite sign of progress in reaching a final code of conduct to which China and ASEAN committed themselves 15 years ago, and a useful confidence-building measure to prevent clashes in the South China Sea, channel for around $5 trillion in maritime trade annually.
The COC consultation is part of the effective implementation of the DOC aimed at maintaining and promoting peace and stability, freedom of navigation and overflights in the South China Sea area without external disturbance. Certainly, talking and even arguing about related disputes is much better than not talking.
With a peace-oriented "good neighborhood" policy, the Chinese leadership has been striving to work together with neighboring countries. A few words of President Xi Jinping's remarks deserve to be quoted here: "China adheres to peaceful settlement of disputes through consultation and negotiation with parties directly concerned, and safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea along with ASEAN member states."
However, while China and ASEAN have increasing mutual interests in developing their economies and maintaining regional stability, since 2015, the United States and its allies have been "militarizing" the waters under Chinese jurisdiction.
The U.S. deployed the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to the South China Sea under the cloak of "freedom of navigation" on February 18, 2017. This is illegal and intentionally provocative behavior. More than 700 patrols have been conducted by U.S. vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea region in the past year. U.S. navy patrols in waters under Chinese jurisdiction seem to be motivated by a "desire to see the world in chaos."
The latest US provocation in South China Sea took place on May 24 when a US Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Dewey, illegally entered the waters within 12 nautical miles of Meiji Reef, part of the Nansha Islands. It is the first "provocative attempts" under the administration of Donald Trump that disrupts the peace and stability of the South China Sea.
Furthermore, by trying to fish in troubled waters, the U.S. has encouraged the Philippines and Vietnam to confront China to fulfill its dream of hegemony in East Asia. However, the Philippines has decided to shelve its campaign to protect its perceived maritime interests in the South China Sea.
Since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power on June 30 last year, he has moved the country away from its longtime ally – the United States – and has sought to build strong alliances with China and Russia. In his first meeting with President Xi last October in Beijing, he declared his "separation" from the United States and both sides agreed to resume talks to resolve their "border" disputes regarding the South China Sea.
On May 15, 2017, in his meeting with President Duterte, President Xi described the two countries as neighbors across the sea whose peoples were brothers linked by blood. He highly appreciated the positive, friendly and constructive attitude adopted by the Duterte government.
China is now promoting economic cooperation projects, under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative, for further reconciliation with Manila. The Initiative complements the efforts of ASEAN to further integrate as an economic community. President Duterte said recently that his country would be willing to explore the natural resources of the South China Sea with China and Vietnam, and this should be commended.
During the 20th diplomatic consultation between China and the Philippines last January, they agreed to set up a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue to discuss issues of common concern and foster appropriate maritime cooperation and security.
The first meeting of the China-Philippines bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea, held in Guiyang on May 19, sends an important signal that a new page has now opened for bilateral dialogue and consultation.
Meanwhile, on May 11, President Xi held talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in which they agreed to continue stabilizing the situation in the South China Sea.
Thanks to unremitting efforts by China and ASEAN, the advancement of the COC consultation under the DOC framework will undoubtedly boost the China-ASEAN relationship. It is heartening to see the South China Sea issue being brought back onto the right track of dialogue and consultation after last year's turbulence.
Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, West Bengal, India
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