Asean seeks formal code of conduct to prevent South China Sea disputes By Michaela P. del Callar 08/08/2010

Asean seeks formal code of conduct to prevent South China Sea disputes

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/08/2010 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is batting for a legally binding code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea to avoid conflict and further reduce tension among claimants, a senior Philippine diplomat said. In a press briefing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio said Asean will put forward its proposal for a more formal code of conduct at its next round of dialog with China. The schedule of the meeting has yet to be determined. “We should start talking about the provisions of a regional code of conduct…to ensure that the South China Sea remains a peaceful and stable place where vessels can pass safely,” Basilio stressed. Seen as one of Asia’s major flashpoints, the Spratlys — a cluster of islands, shoals, islets, atolls, cays and reefs along the South China Sea — is said to be harboring rich minerals and oil reserves. It is claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. In 2002, Southeast Asian nations the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand and China signed a landmark non-binding code of conduct in the South China Sea to reduce the tension among the claimants by maintaining status quo and temporarily putting ownership issues in the backburner..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100808hed6.html

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