2023 is a year when the world situation is generally very unstable, the security environment is complicated, and many conflicts break out with hotspots such as the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Taiwan Strait.
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| The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation (Belgium) in Vietnam, organized the International Workshop “Law on Territorial Borders: Values and Practical Application” in Hanoi, September 7, 2023. (Source: dangcongsan.vn) |
In that context, the situation in the East Sea remains complicated. The clashes and frictions, including laser beams, ramming and water cannons, between China and the Philippines have caused a lot of concern in the region, but that is only part of the story.
2023 is an opportunity to look back at the instability and complexity of the situation in the East Sea over the past years. First of all, there are still acts of violating international law, encroaching on the legitimate waters of other countries. Second, there is still a lack of effective implementation of commitments on restraint and confidence-building measures. Third, and also very worrying, is the continued use of force to seek to impose unreasonable sovereignty claims, especially measures that people still call gray zone tactics or disguised non-military.
Clearly, the region needs to make more efforts, especially to promote compliance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); strengthen mechanisms for building trust, restraint and not complicating the situation; especially to oppose acts of imposing and illegally encroaching on other countries' waters.
ASEAN with continuous efforts
Over the past year, ASEAN has continued to make efforts to build the community; strengthen cooperation and connectivity with partners; promote respect for international law, and promote its central role in regional issues, including the East Sea issue. ASEAN's role and voice have been supported and highly appreciated by countries.
Regarding the East Sea, it is worth noting: First , peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea are issues of common concern to ASEAN and the region, mentioned at ASEAN conferences and documents.
Second, ASEAN continues to emphasize the principles of compliance with international law, UNCLOS 1982, restraint, not further complicating the situation, building trust, and peacefully resolving disputes.
Third , continue to promote ASEAN-China consultations to fully implement the DOC and build a substantive and effective COC, while emphasizing that the parties need to create a favorable environment for these negotiations by not complicating the situation at sea.
Fourth, it is noteworthy that in the past year, for the first time, ASEAN issued a Statement on promoting a peaceful and stable “maritime space in Southeast Asia” at the Foreign Ministers level. The above statement has important significance. First of all, it links the East Sea to the peace and stability of the entire region and the Southeast Asian maritime space in general. Second, it links the responsibility and central role of ASEAN as well as the cooperation mechanisms of ASEAN with its partners for peace, stability and cooperation for development in Southeast Asia, including the East Sea. Third, these processes will complement each other, striving together for the common goal of peace, stability and cooperation for development in the region, including the Southeast Asian maritime space and the East Sea. Meanwhile, ASEAN continues to promote ASEAN-China dialogue on the implementation of the DOC and the building of a COC on the East Sea.
Vietnam with a consistent spirit
Vietnam is consistent in maritime issues, resolute and persistent in its sovereignty, sovereign rights and legitimate interests in its maritime zones. Vietnam has repeatedly issued statements on this issue; at the same time, it opposes acts of encroachment on Vietnam's maritime zones; and requests that parties comply with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.
Vietnam consistently values and supports ASEAN in promoting its central role and making active and responsible contributions to peace, stability, and development cooperation in the region, including the East Sea.
First, emphasize peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. Second, is the issue of compliance with international law and UNCLOS 1982. Third, is to resolve disputes by peaceful means, not using force in international relations, while exercising restraint, building trust, and not complicating the situation. Fourth, promote ASEAN - China to fully implement the DOC and move towards a substantive, effective COC in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982.
Finally, ASEAN needs to speak out against other countries’ encroachments on its legitimate maritime zones, violations of international law, and complicating the situation, while continuing to play a role on issues of common regional interest.
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| The first working session of the 15th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea. (Source: VNA) |
Ability to resolve challenges
2024 is forecast to have many complicated developments, while the East Sea continues to harbor hidden waves and risks and instability.
Therefore, ASEAN needs to continue to promote the results it has achieved and further strengthen its role in peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in the East Sea. Accordingly, it is necessary to:
Firstly, ASEAN needs to re-emphasize the bloc's principles on peace, security, stability, and development cooperation in the region as well as on the East Sea issue, especially compliance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.
Second, promote ASEAN - China efforts to implement the DOC and negotiate an effective and efficient COC based on international law, UNCLOS 1982.
Third, ASEAN needs to promote the development of common standards of conduct in the region, including the Southeast Asian maritime space, and promote existing ASEAN principles and documents that have been supported by partner countries, such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
Fourth, promote ASEAN mechanisms and engage with partners, contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the region, including the maritime space of Southeast Asia and the East Sea.
Fifth, promote the international community's support for ASEAN's role and efforts in the region and on the East Sea issue, including speaking out against acts of encroachment on other countries' legitimate maritime zones.
With the recent results, we believe that ASEAN will continue to develop and further promote its central role in peace and development cooperation in the region, continuing to actively contribute to building a peaceful and stable East Sea region and building trust, on the basis of compliance with international law and UNCLOS 1982. In 2024, with an active and responsible role, Laos will certainly successfully assume its role as ASEAN Chair and effectively contribute to the development of the ASEAN Community, as well as peace and cooperation in the region.
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