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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The good news comes from the South China Sea (LCS). Where China and ASEAN now want to discuss a code of ethics to avoid clashes in the region.
In an online meeting with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, China said that China wanted to finalize the establishment of a code of conduct regarding the South China Sea. The objective is to avoid confrontations in the area in dispute with several of these countries.
“China should finalize a code of conduct with the ASEAN countries as soon as possible to create a set of rules that reflects the characteristics of the region,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted as saying on Thursday (10 / 09/2020).
Talks on a code of conduct organized by Vietnam also took place amid heated relations between the United States (US) and China in the region, which is an important route for international trade.
In response to this, observers said that China’s move to try to ease tensions with the 10 ASEAN members over the South China Sea could be China’s attempt to reduce US influence over these waters, it reported. the Bangkok Post on Thursday (10/9/2020).
China previously had disputes with at least four ASEAN members over territorial claims in the South China Sea, namely with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as with Taiwan, a region it recognizes as a province.
To resolve the dispute, China and the ASEAN countries have long discussed the code of ethics. Where in 2002, all parties agreed to establish a set of guidelines known as the Declaration of Conduct for the Parties in the South China Sea.
This declaration, made in November 2002, aims to promote a peaceful, friendly and harmonious environment in the South China Sea to promote stability, economic growth and prosperity in the region.
At a meeting between China and ASEAN in 2018, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed that the code should be completed by 2021.
But during the formation process, China continued to expand its claims in the region, to the point of building artificial islands with military infrastructure. The move not only drew the ire of nations competing for the region, but also the United States, which has the largest military in the world.
The United States believes that China’s action could damage the region and, on that basis, the United States has increased its presence in the waters. In July, the United States even strongly called out China’s claims that they violate international law.
However, these American activities really angered China. So far, the two countries have continued to mutually strengthen their military positions in the waters, prompting fears among regional countries of an armed war.
Earlier Tuesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warned the United States and China not to involve Indonesia and other ASEAN countries in their competition in the South China Sea.
Retno relayed this in an interview with Reuters ahead of a series of important meetings of regional foreign ministers this week. Retno also said that ASEAN must remain neutral and united.
“We don’t want to get caught up in this competition,” Retno said.
“ASEAN, Indonesia, we want to show everyone that we are ready to become partners,” added Retno. “We don’t want to get caught up in this competition.”
ASEAN is made up of Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei.
[Gambas:Video CNBC](Nothing / SEF)
