China: Instability in AsPac increasing

MANILA, Philippines - China has described the situation in the Asia-Pacific region as generally stable and with development fast gaining momentum, but believes that elements of instability and uncertainty are increasing.

 Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi presented the Asia-Pacific picture as viewed by Beijing during a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in New York last Sept. 24.

The two ministers, who were in New York for the 67th United Nations General Assembly, exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

 Securing growth and promoting stability and development are the common expectations of people in the region.

 “We need to hold the right direction of regional cooperation, stick to the theme of development, and make joint efforts to promote regional peace and development,” Yang said.

 “Against the circumstances of increased risks and challenges faced with the Asian economy, China and ASEAN should strengthen unity and cooperation, ensure the success of a series of meetings of East Asian leaders this year, concentrate on pragmatic cooperation and maintain vitality of Asian economy in order to advance economic recovery and growth,” he added.

 For his part, Natalegawa said Indonesia and China are both having impacts on the region and the world. He said the two countries should further tap potentials, expand cooperation in all areas and enhance coordination at multilateral diplomatic scenarios like the UN to safeguard the common interests of the two countries and of developing nations.

 Natalegawa said China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have maintained good cooperation, and that Indonesia is ready to work with China to ensure positive outcomes at the meetings of East Asian leaders.

 In July, Indonesia consulted the Philippines on the future of ASEAN after the failure to issue a joint communiqué at the 45th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh.

 Natalegawa said he first met his Philippine counterpart in Manila and would fly to other Southeast Asian nations to try to ease the discord and prevent further damage to ASEAN.

 Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Natalegawa discussed bilateral as well as regional issues, specifically on how to reinforce the 10-member organization following the failure to issue a joint communiqué.

The Indonesian official consulted with ASEAN members to agree on six principles on the South China Sea issue including avoiding the use of force amid the disputes, the resolution of the conflicts in accordance with international laws and the early signing of a legally binding “code of conduct” to thwart any major armed conflict in the disputed territories.

 The Philippines deplored the non-issuance of a joint communiqué.

 China-friendly and ASEAN chair Cambodia “consistently opposed any mention of the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc)” and announced that a joint communiqué “cannot be issued.”

 Del Rosario had discussed the situation in Panatag Shoal during several ASEAN ministerial meetings in Phnom Penh starting last July 9. The country simply wanted that the issue discussed should be reflected in the communiqué.

However, the Cambodian chairman consistently rejected any proposed text that mentions Scarborough Shoal.

 The Philippines welcomed last July 20 the release of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on “ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea.”

 The DFA was pleased that the member states, including chair Cambodia, approved the statement.

 The six-point principles call on ASEAN to agree to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or DOC, support the guidelines of the DOC, conclude early a regional code of conduct on the South China Sea, fully respect universally recognized principle of international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), continue exercising self-restraint and non-use of force, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including UNCLOS.

 Meantime, the honorary director of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification (CCPPR) on Thursday called on all Chinese, both at home and abroad, to jointly safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and interests.

 In a report posted on the Chinese government’s web portal, Xu Jialu made the comments while meeting with the Austrian CCPPR delegation headed by Zhang Weiqing.

 Xu said the Japanese government’s so-called “nationalization” of Senkaku (Diaoyu) Island and its affiliated islets, which are Chinese territories, grossly violates China’s territorial sovereignty and seriously tramples on historical facts and international jurisprudence.

 The CCPPR, he said, resolutely supports all necessary measures taken by the Chinese government to defend China’s territorial sovereignty.

 Xu hailed various patriotic activities carried out by CCPPR organizations across five continents to protest Japan’s illegal “purchase” of the Diaoyu Islands.

 He said the hearts of overseas Chinese citizens and people of Chinese descent are closely linked to their motherland even though they are far from it.