Why we need to take time in 'The South China Sea code of conduct'

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Why we need to take time in 'The South China Sea code of conduct'

(People's Daily Online) 08:26, August 16, 2013

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During his visit to Vietnam on August 5, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi expressed the Chinese view on the formulation of a “South China Sea Code of Conduct” (COC), and put forward a four-point proposal: "rational expectations, consensus, elimination of outside interference, progressive development". Wang Yi’s opinion was a response to other countries’ miscalculation of the situation – countries which hope to use the South China Sea Code of Conduct as a silver bullet to cure their problems with China over South China Sea territorial sovereignty and maritime rights disputes. This misguided approach has interfered with the normal process of discussion on such matters, and has affected peace and stability in the area.

In recent years, the Philippines have developed something of an idiosyncratic approach to the sovereignty of the South China Sea. In addition to frequent provocations in the area in order to strengthen its military presence, they have also repeatedly tried to multilateralize and internationalize the issue. On the issue of the South China Sea Code of Conduct, the Philippines continually try to portray their own self-interest as “the will of ASEAN”, in order to outmaneuver China.

The action of the Philippines is a breach of the aims of the South China Sea Code of Conduct. In 2002, China and ASEAN signed The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. As a regional organization, the association of south-east Asian nations (ASEAN) has also repeatedly stressed its neutrality on the issue, maintaining that disputes in the area should be resolved by claimants through peaceful negotiations.

The South China Sea Code of Conduct is not designed to resolve specific disputes. The guidelines are not there to be distorted by one or other party, and turned into a "tool" to challenge China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. In Brunei in July, U.S. secretary of state John Kerry reiterated that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea accords with America's strategic interests, and he wants to see the South China Sea Code of Conduct signed as soon as possible.

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