This SOM DOC meeting was held after nearly two years of interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, co-chaired by Myanmar, the coordinator of ASEAN-China relations, and China. At the meeting, the countries reaffirmed the value and importance of the DOC to the region; accordingly, they highly appreciated a number of positive results in the implementation of the DOC in recent times, despite the region being deeply affected by the pandemic. Many specific cooperation activities have been effectively implemented, as planned, including cooperation in marine environmental protection, marine scientific research, humane and fair treatment of fishermen, search and rescue at sea, etc. The countries also acknowledged the activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the DOC to be held in 2022.
In addition, the countries also shared concerns about some complicated developments in the East Sea in recent times, which have eroded trust, increased tensions, and affected the legitimate rights and interests of countries bordering the East Sea. Accordingly, they emphasized the need for ASEAN and China to seriously, effectively and fully implement the DOC in all its provisions.
The countries also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; respecting principles such as exercising restraint, not using or threatening to use force, and peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The SOM DOC meeting acknowledged the progress in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and discussed orientations for the COC negotiation process carried out by the Joint Working Group on the DOC (JWG DOC). Countries also emphasized the need to achieve an effective, substantive COC in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, contributing to building trust, confidence, and more effective management of incidents in the East Sea.
Speaking at the conference, Ambassador Vu Ho emphasized that the East Sea is the world's vital shipping route, therefore maintaining and promoting peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in this sea area is not only the common interest and responsibility of ASEAN and China, but also demonstrates the responsibility of both sides to the international community.
Given the complicated developments in the East Sea and the continued unilateral actions that violate international law, the Ambassador suggested that countries promote “practice and words”, turning political commitments into specific and appropriate actions on the ground.
In that spirit, the Ambassador emphasized the need to take the provisions of international law and UNCLOS as a “compass” for activities in the East Sea. While stepping up efforts to achieve a substantive, effective COC that is consistent with international law and UNCLOS and supported by the international community, countries need to seriously and fully implement all provisions of the DOC. This effort will also contribute to creating a favorable environment for the COC negotiation process.
The conference agreed with China's proposal to host the 21st SOM DOC Conference, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023.
PHUC BINH
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