China wants faster pace of talks on code of conduct in South China Sea

October 29, 2018

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday said China wants to hasten talks for a code of conduct in the South China Sea and have it approved within the Philippines’ three-year term as dialogue coordinator between Beijing and Southeast Asian nations. The Philippines assumed the role of country coordinator in August and its stint will end in 2021. Wang, who ended his two-day visit to the Philippines, was non-committal when asked if China would agree to a legally-binding code. “Whether or not it is legally binding any document we have signed we will strictly abide by it and firmly implement it,” Wang told a joint press conference with Philippine counterpart, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., in Davao City. On August 3, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which the Philippines and three other South China Sea claimants belong, announced agreement on a single draft South China Sea Code of Conduct negotiating text. The draft, which serves as the basis for negotiations of the code, is expected to propel China and ASEAN to an set of formal guidelines in the resource-rich waters as efforts to finalize the accord has dragged on for 16 years. “We are ready to work with ASEAN countries to speed up code of conduct consultations. We also hope to conclude the consultation during the term of the Philippines as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China relations so that we can set up a set of regional norms to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea,” said Wang. Wang said China “is open-minded on what specific contents will be put into the text.” “By that we welcome all constructed opinions within the framework of a single text that has been agreed. Through this way we could pull consensus as much as we can,” he said. Locsin said if ASEAN and China fail to agree to a legally-binding document, the code would still be a significant regional document. “Perhaps we may not be able to arrive at a legally binding COC, but it will be the standard on how the people of ASEAN, governments of ASEAN will behave towards each other. Always with honor, never with aggression and always for the mutual progress,” Locsin said. Wang urged the regional bloc to be “vigilant” against intervention, “prevent interferences” and “disruptions” coming from “non-regional forces.” “Some non-regional countries are doing things completely counter to our efforts,” he said. “They never hesitated in stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, they have been showing off their force in these waters. We must further enhance our solidarity and work tighter to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.” DMS