Philippines satisfied on mention of China reclamation in ASEAN communiqué

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is “contented” to see the issue on China’s island building activities included in the joint communiqué issued by foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

“We’re happy it (reclamation) was reflected, that there was indeed discussion on the South China Sea because at the start they didn’t want it taken up, but there was indeed a very active and intense discussion on the South China Sea,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said.

The ASEAN foreign ministers included the matter in their joint communiqué despite an attempt by Cambodia to block it.

While there was no mention of Manila’s arbitration case in The Hague against Beijing, the DFA said it was “contented” with the outcome of the joint communiqué.

DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario briefed his counterparts on the progress of the arbitration case, through which Manila is seeking clarification of its rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Secretary briefed them on the progress in the arbitration. The mere fact that the South China Sea paragraph is there, we’re contented,” he said.

Jose said in a press briefing there were several discussions on the South China Sea and other regional security issues “and the fact that it was reflected in the joint communiqué, we’re already happy about it.”

“As far as our objective is concerned, I think we had a very good discussion on regional security issues, including the South China Sea,” Jose pointed out.

“Many countries have spoken on this topic and it was duly reflected in the joint communiqué which we’re happy about,” he added.

The ministers issued a joint statement on the maritime dispute after days of disagreement over wording of the communiqué.

The ministers emphasized they “remained seriously concerned” over recent and ongoing developments in the disputed waters.

“We discussed extensively the matters relating to the South China Sea and remained seriously concerned over recent and ongoing developments in the area,” the communiqué read.

“We took note of the serious concerns expressed by some ministers on the land reclamations in the South China  Sea,  which have eroded trust and  confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea,” it pointed out.

Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs K. Shanmugam said the delay in finalizing a joint communiqué was due to difficulties in reaching a consensus over choice of words.

The ASEAN reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea. The regional bloc also cited the need for all  parties to ensure full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety.

ASEAN members also urged parties concerned to resolve their differences and disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). – With Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude