MANILA, Philippines — The South China Sea maritime row and a code of conduct for claimants would be among the priority topics during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meet to be hosted by the Philippines this year, a foreign affairs official said Thursday.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo said the goal is for the ASEAN and China to come up with a framework for the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea this year.
“The issue of the South China Sea, of course, is in the agenda of the ASEAN. In fact, we will be undertaking ongoing work throughout the year focusing on the unfinished Code of Conduct of the South China Sea and the Declaration of the Code of Conduct and the principles of the Code of Conduct,” Manalo said in a press briefing in Malacañan.
“One of our main goals this year in cooperation with China, not only Philippines but ASEAN and China, is to try and arrive at a framework for the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea by the end of the year. That will be one of our main priorities,” he added.
The relationship between Manila and Beijing was strained after the Philippine government under then President Benigno Aquino III challenged China’s expansive maritime claim before an international court
Last year, a Hague-based arbitral court ruled in favor of the Philippines and voided China’s maritime claim, which covers virtually the entire South China Sea. China has refused to recognize the decision, calling it “a mere piece of paper” and “illegal since day one.”
President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to seek closer ties with China and has expressed readiness to momentarily set aside the arbitral ruling.
Manalo said the Hague ruling that invalidated China’s maritime claim need not be tackled during the ASEAN meet.
“Actually, there’s no need to really discuss The Hague ruling because it already exists. It’s already a part of the law, of the international law, so it’s there and the focus will be of course on — I think the priority now is to try and get a Code of Conduct,” he said.
“The Hague ruling will not be on the agenda in the sense that it’s already part of international law. So we really can’t discuss the ruling, it’s there.”
When asked how they can reconcile a code of conduct with China’s installation of military structures in disputed islands, Manalo said: “Well, that’s the challenge we face in coming out with the framework. It’s not only the Philippines who faces this challenge but other claimant states in the region.”
Manalo noted that the whole purpose of the Code of Conduct is to manage disputes in a peaceful way and non-confrontational way.
“This is the position that the Philippines and the other ASEAN countries will be taking when we discuss a possible framework for the Code of Conduct and the implementations of the principles on the Declaration of the Code of Conduct,” he said.
Manalo said the Philippines, as chairman of this year’s ASEAN meet, would be guided by its national interest while taking into account the concerns of other member countries.
“We will talk to China in a way where we will push forth our interests, just as we expect China will play theirs, put forth theirs and we will see how we can discuss that,” he said.
“But certainly, we need to have a discussion, at least an atmosphere which is conducive for productive discussion and that’s what we will aim for.”
In 2012, ASEAN foreign ministers ended their meeting in Cambodia without issuing a joint statement because of their failure to reach a consensus on the South China Sea row. Cambodia, the host of the ASEAN 2012 meet and a recipient of Chinese assistance, refused to include the maritime issue in the joint statement.
Priorities
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said ASEAN 2017 would be launched at the Davao SMX Convention Center on January 15. Duterte will be present during the event, which will be attended by Cabinet officials and members of the diplomatic community.
Andanar said this year’s ASEAN will have six thematic priorities namely people-oriented and people-centered region, which will cover health, nutrition and social protection for vulnerable sectors; peace and stability, particularly fighting illegal drugs and terrorism; maritime security and cooperation; inclusive growth including promoting entrepreneurship; resilient ASEAN including efforts to make the region resilient to climate change and disasters; and ASEAN as a global player and model of regionalism.
Andanar said the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) would conduct road shows and seminars throughout the country to educate the public about ASEAN.
“Our insights is that while 81 percent of ASEAN citizens have heard of the ASEAN, only 24 percent have a basic understanding of what it is and its purpose. This is alarming because every citizen benefits from this regional organization,” Andanar said.
“It is the vision of PCOO that every Filipino will know how ASEAN has benefitted them. We created a campaign that speaks to everyone from all walks of life, from government workers, media, NGOs (non-government organizations), civil society, the academe, business sector, the youth, and even the grassroots communities,” he added.
Andanar said representatives from PCOO would also distribute comics and other reading materials written in different Philippine dialects so that the masses can understand the relevance of the summit.
“This way, no one is left behind and we reach those without access to the Internet or traditional media,” he said.
Southeast Asia has 630 million people and covers more than 1.7 million square miles. Its economy is valued at $2.5 trillion.
The Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN 2017 coincided with the regional bloc’s 50th anniversary. The theme of this year’s summit is “We Are Partners for Change, Engaging the World.”
The ASEAN ministerial meetings will be held in Manila on April 26 to 27 while the ASEAN summit will be held from April 28 to 29. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the regional bloc and ministerial meetings will be held on August 2 to 8 while the ASEAN summit with dialogue partners will be held on November 10 to 14.