Spratly Islands: no agreement at ASEAN summit as Philippines flexes its muscles
ASEAN member states discuss guidelines but stick to general principles as talks continue. Meanwhile, despite opposition from Beijing, Filipino lawmakers fly to contested Spratly Islands to assert the Philippines’ right to defend its territory.
Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Meeting in Bali (Indonesia) for the organisation’s annual summit on security, the foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and China have agreed to a set of guidelines regarding co-operation in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. Experts caution however that no actual decision has been taken. Meanwhile, Filipino political leaders said that they want the Filipino military to protect the Spratly Islands, Filipino territory, a stance that increases the chances of an armed confrontation between China and other nations.
The guidelines were greeted by those present at the summit as a “significant step” forward to solving disputes over the Spratly and Paracel Islands, which are claimed by China, but also Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. The area is rich in oil and gas as well as fish. It is also important for maritime trade.
“Through fruitful and constructive discussions and dialogue, we have been able to arrive, at our level, at an agreement on the draft guidelines,” said Pham Quang Vinh, Vietnam's top senior foreign ministry official. “This is a significant and good start for us to work together to continue dialogue and co-operation with a view to further promote this stability and confidence in the region,” he added.
Many experts are less optimistic, noting that the guidelines are very vague. Similarly, they note that not much more could be achieved given the fact that the proposed code of conduct took ten years to reach.
Eager to avoid a formal failure, host country President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his first address to the five-day meeting sought urgent action to create a binding code of conduct to govern behaviour in the South China Sea, warning that China and Southeast Asia had to send a "strong signal" to the world and continue their “constructive dialogue” to find solutions based on mutual collaboration and trust.
Now talks will focus on defining the guidelines. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said he was uncertain whether the guidelines could be defined at this meeting.
At the same time, the Philippines said it would seek United Nations arbitration to define the areas under contention, a step rejected by China, which prefers a bilateral approach.
Beijing claims an historic right to the entire South China Sea and its navy has already started threatening fishing boats from the Philippines and Vietnam, going so far as beating up crews and seizing catches.
For this reason, Manila and Hanoi have sought a decision at the ASEAN foreign ministers summit, which also includes China, the US, Japan and Russia. In fact, both nations have started seabed surveys to find oil against the opposition of China.
Meanwhile, led by Walden Bello five Members of the Filipino Congress and a small party of journalists flew on two private planes on a personal trip to Pagasa Island, the only inhabited Spratly Island home to some 300 Filipinos.
Beijing warned the visit would “sabotage the China-Philippines relationship”.
However, in a statement, Walden Bello said the Philippines Armed Forces must defend the Spratly Islands because they are Filipino territory.
The guidelines were greeted by those present at the summit as a “significant step” forward to solving disputes over the Spratly and Paracel Islands, which are claimed by China, but also Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. The area is rich in oil and gas as well as fish. It is also important for maritime trade.
“Through fruitful and constructive discussions and dialogue, we have been able to arrive, at our level, at an agreement on the draft guidelines,” said Pham Quang Vinh, Vietnam's top senior foreign ministry official. “This is a significant and good start for us to work together to continue dialogue and co-operation with a view to further promote this stability and confidence in the region,” he added.
Many experts are less optimistic, noting that the guidelines are very vague. Similarly, they note that not much more could be achieved given the fact that the proposed code of conduct took ten years to reach.
Eager to avoid a formal failure, host country President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his first address to the five-day meeting sought urgent action to create a binding code of conduct to govern behaviour in the South China Sea, warning that China and Southeast Asia had to send a "strong signal" to the world and continue their “constructive dialogue” to find solutions based on mutual collaboration and trust.
Now talks will focus on defining the guidelines. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said he was uncertain whether the guidelines could be defined at this meeting.
At the same time, the Philippines said it would seek United Nations arbitration to define the areas under contention, a step rejected by China, which prefers a bilateral approach.
Beijing claims an historic right to the entire South China Sea and its navy has already started threatening fishing boats from the Philippines and Vietnam, going so far as beating up crews and seizing catches.
For this reason, Manila and Hanoi have sought a decision at the ASEAN foreign ministers summit, which also includes China, the US, Japan and Russia. In fact, both nations have started seabed surveys to find oil against the opposition of China.
Meanwhile, led by Walden Bello five Members of the Filipino Congress and a small party of journalists flew on two private planes on a personal trip to Pagasa Island, the only inhabited Spratly Island home to some 300 Filipinos.
Beijing warned the visit would “sabotage the China-Philippines relationship”.
However, in a statement, Walden Bello said the Philippines Armed Forces must defend the Spratly Islands because they are Filipino territory.
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