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A few days before the Philippine-United States (PH-US) war games near the disputed Panatag Shoal in the disputed West Philippines Sea, the Chinese government called on the two allies “do more things that are conducive to promoting national security and mutual trust.”
China likewise urged all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries to commit themselves to a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, enhance practical maritime cooperation, and steadily move forward the negotiation process of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying issued the call amid escalating regional tensions spurred by China’s recent rows with Vietnam and the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Hua’s comment came ahead of the 11th China-ASEAN Joint Working Group Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC scheduled in Bali, Indonesia, from June 24 to 25.
PANATAG SHOAL WAR GAMES
The naval exercises between the Philippines and the US start on June 26 at the disputed shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough. The shoal used to be controlled by the Philippines until China took over following a standoff in 2012.
“We hope relevant countries can do more things that are conducive to promoting national security and mutual trust, and safeguarding regional peace and stability,” Hua said in a regular press conference in Beijing last Friday when asked to comment on the scheduled PH-US maritime exercises.
A transcript of the press conference was posted on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines.
Asked about Chinese activities, particularly the deployment of four oil rigs in areas also claimed by Vietnam in the South China Sea, Hua insisted that China is “working in its own yard.”
“China’s Maritime Security Administration has made it clear in its announcements that the drilling platforms are operating completely within the coastal waters off China’s Guangdong Province and Hainan Province,” Hua said.
The deployment of the four oil rigs comes amid mounting tensions between China and Vietnam because of the former’s moving of a giant drilling platform into contested waters near the Paracel Islands last month.
‘NORMAL’ ACTIVITIES
She insisted that the activities are “normal” and should not be hyped by other parties.
“So these are just normal activities. There is no need to read too much into them or make particular links,” she said.
Hua said “relevant drilling platforms, including Number 9 South China Sea drilling platform, are operating within the coastal waters off China’s Guangdong Province and Hainan Province.”
“China’s Maritime Security Administration has made public these platforms’ coordinates. You can locate these coordinates on a map. China is working in its own yard,” she said when asked if the Number 9 South China Sea drilling platform will enter the disputed waters in Vietnam.
“If someone reads too much into it or give wild interpretations, then they are deliberately stirring things up,” she added.
In the same press conference, Hua said: “All parties should endeavor to create enabling conditions and favorable atmosphere for these goals and make positive contributions to peace and stability of the region.”
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
Hua noted that all participants in the upcoming meeting will have in-depth exchanges of views on follow-up actions for the implementation of the DoC and developing a COC, among other topics that concerns that region.
She said on the sidelines of the meeting, leading officials from the competent departments of various countries and experts will hold meetings to discuss practical cooperation in fields including navigation security and joint search and rescue on the sea.
China and ASEAN member countries signed the DOC on 2002.
It was on September, 2013, that China and ASEAN launched the official consultation on a COC at the 6th China-ASEAN senior officials’ meeting held in Suzhou, China.
The meeting was considered as a turning point as China expressed its willingness to work with ASEAN for comprehensive and effective implementation of the DOC and steadily push forward consultations on a COC.
During the discussions, Chinese and ASEAN senior officials agreed on the modality of moving forward and continue official consultations on the COC on a regular basis, and make regular reports to ASEAN and Chinese foreign ministers.
They also tasked a Joint Working Group to hold in-depth discussions on all aspects of the COC, including consideration of expert services that would support the work of official consultations.
Last March, officials at the working level met in Singapore to review the progress and prepare recommendations.
During both meetings, the Philippines, one of the South China Sea claimants along with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, expressed its position that the COC should be legally-binding and be developed through a deliberate process of intergovernmental negotiations.
The Philippines also called for respect for principles of the DOC, particularly the non-use of force or coercion.
China likewise urged all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries to commit themselves to a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, enhance practical maritime cooperation, and steadily move forward the negotiation process of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying issued the call amid escalating regional tensions spurred by China’s recent rows with Vietnam and the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Hua’s comment came ahead of the 11th China-ASEAN Joint Working Group Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC scheduled in Bali, Indonesia, from June 24 to 25.
PANATAG SHOAL WAR GAMES
The naval exercises between the Philippines and the US start on June 26 at the disputed shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough. The shoal used to be controlled by the Philippines until China took over following a standoff in 2012.
“We hope relevant countries can do more things that are conducive to promoting national security and mutual trust, and safeguarding regional peace and stability,” Hua said in a regular press conference in Beijing last Friday when asked to comment on the scheduled PH-US maritime exercises.
A transcript of the press conference was posted on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines.
Asked about Chinese activities, particularly the deployment of four oil rigs in areas also claimed by Vietnam in the South China Sea, Hua insisted that China is “working in its own yard.”
“China’s Maritime Security Administration has made it clear in its announcements that the drilling platforms are operating completely within the coastal waters off China’s Guangdong Province and Hainan Province,” Hua said.
The deployment of the four oil rigs comes amid mounting tensions between China and Vietnam because of the former’s moving of a giant drilling platform into contested waters near the Paracel Islands last month.
‘NORMAL’ ACTIVITIES
She insisted that the activities are “normal” and should not be hyped by other parties.
“So these are just normal activities. There is no need to read too much into them or make particular links,” she said.
Hua said “relevant drilling platforms, including Number 9 South China Sea drilling platform, are operating within the coastal waters off China’s Guangdong Province and Hainan Province.”
“China’s Maritime Security Administration has made public these platforms’ coordinates. You can locate these coordinates on a map. China is working in its own yard,” she said when asked if the Number 9 South China Sea drilling platform will enter the disputed waters in Vietnam.
“If someone reads too much into it or give wild interpretations, then they are deliberately stirring things up,” she added.
In the same press conference, Hua said: “All parties should endeavor to create enabling conditions and favorable atmosphere for these goals and make positive contributions to peace and stability of the region.”
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
Hua noted that all participants in the upcoming meeting will have in-depth exchanges of views on follow-up actions for the implementation of the DoC and developing a COC, among other topics that concerns that region.
She said on the sidelines of the meeting, leading officials from the competent departments of various countries and experts will hold meetings to discuss practical cooperation in fields including navigation security and joint search and rescue on the sea.
China and ASEAN member countries signed the DOC on 2002.
It was on September, 2013, that China and ASEAN launched the official consultation on a COC at the 6th China-ASEAN senior officials’ meeting held in Suzhou, China.
The meeting was considered as a turning point as China expressed its willingness to work with ASEAN for comprehensive and effective implementation of the DOC and steadily push forward consultations on a COC.
During the discussions, Chinese and ASEAN senior officials agreed on the modality of moving forward and continue official consultations on the COC on a regular basis, and make regular reports to ASEAN and Chinese foreign ministers.
They also tasked a Joint Working Group to hold in-depth discussions on all aspects of the COC, including consideration of expert services that would support the work of official consultations.
Last March, officials at the working level met in Singapore to review the progress and prepare recommendations.
During both meetings, the Philippines, one of the South China Sea claimants along with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, expressed its position that the COC should be legally-binding and be developed through a deliberate process of intergovernmental negotiations.
The Philippines also called for respect for principles of the DOC, particularly the non-use of force or coercion.
