Promoting international law in resolving the East Sea issue

The 20th Annual Conference of the Asian Law Institute (ASLI) with the theme “ Inclusiveness and Diversity of Asian Law” was held at the National University of Singapore from May 31 to June 1, with the participation of more than 600 delegates representing leading legal organizations and experts from the continent and internationally.

At the discussion session on the East Sea, scholars shared their views on hot topics that are posing challenges to international law, as well as efforts to resolve them from relevant countries, such as the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and competition for influence among major countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Promoting international law in resolving the East Sea issue - 1 — The 20th Annual Conference of the Asian Law Institute (ASLI) was held at the National University of Singapore from 31 May to 1 June.

The discussions assessed that the Indo-Pacific region accounts for more than half of the world's population, has rich natural resources and many important sea routes, is of great significance to global trade and is increasingly becoming an important region in shaping the world order of the 21st century. However, persistent conflicts and disputes, especially disputes in the East Sea, pose many potential risks of instability and are not easy to resolve.

Experts attending the workshop affirmed that UNCLOS and the 2016 ruling of the PCA are the most solid and important legal bases for resolving disputes in the East Sea. Countries in the East Sea region need to restrain their actions, respect international law, make joint efforts to resolve conflicts through peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially UNCLOS 1982, and accelerate the COC negotiation process.

According to experts, only active negotiations on the basis of international law and mutual respect, taking into account the harmonious interests of all parties, while promoting trust and enhancing cooperation towards a long-term future, are the most optimal measures in resolving conflicts, protecting peace, security and stability in the region as well as in the world.

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Dr. Jacques deLisle (University of Pennsylvania, USA) assessed that recent developments show that international structures, especially in the fields of politics and security, are changing rapidly. Old structures are losing their previous meaning and role, while new structures are gradually taking shape.

The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly showing its importance and receiving more attention from the world. A series of Indo-Pacific strategies issued in recent years clearly demonstrate that.

In this region, one of the central conflicts is the dispute in the East Sea. Respecting international law and making efforts to peacefully resolve these disputes is not only meaningful for the region but also for the world.

Hai Khanh

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