SECRETARY DEL ROSARIO CALLS FOR UNITY ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ISSUE AT ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS’ RETREAT 17 January 2014 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario called for ASEAN to “maintain regional solidarity” amidst prevailing tensions, citing recent reports of a new Chinese fishing regulation in the South China Sea, as well as the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) established last November. “Clearly, in addition to unilateral measures to change the status quo and threats to the stability of the region, these latest developments violate the legitimate rights of coastal and other states under international law, including UNCLOS, and more specifically the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, and is contrary to the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC),” the Secretary said during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Bagan, Myanmar on January 17. The new Hainan Fisheries Law, which takes effect this month, would require all foreign fishing vessels to obtain approval from authorities before transiting into Hainan’s administrative zone in the South China Sea. The ECS ADIZ similarly obligates aircraft flying through the zone to provide identification and follow instructions or face defensive emergency measures from China’s armed forces. The Secretary added that ASEAN’s work for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) to manage tensions might be undermined if such changes to the status quo persist. At the Retreat, Secretary del Rosario enumerated the Philippines’ priorities in ASEAN under Myanmar’s chairmanship, which include: pursuit of a rules-based ASEAN Community of shared values and norms; support for the development of ASEAN’s Post-2015 Vision; review and assessment of regional disaster management mechanisms; early conclusion of ASEAN instruments to combat trafficking in persons; promotion and protection of human rights and enhancement of maritime connectivity in ASEAN. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat is the first meeting under Myanmar’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014. It is the first time for Myanmar to chair ASEAN since joining the ten-member organization on 23 July 1997. The theme of Myanmar’s chairmanship is “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”. END
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:41:28 +0000
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