Philippines echoes retracted ASEAN statement on South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday issued the retracted Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) statement on tensions in the South China Sea.

The DFA said that the ASEAN foreign ministers expressed serious concerns over the developments in the disputed waters during their meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The foreign ministers issued a statement Tuesday night following a special ASEAN-China meeting in Kunming, Yunnan province in China. The tough statement on the South China Sea was retracted as it may have offended the meeting host, a Malaysian official said in previous reports.

The region's foreign ministers stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight above the disputed sea.

The ministers also reiterated their commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Foreign Secretary Jose Almendras issued the ASEAN foreign ministers' concerns on the contested waters:

• Had a candid exchange with the Chinese Foreign Minister in view of the recent developments on the ground;
• Expressed their serious concerns over recent and ongoing developments, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and which may have the potential to undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea;
• Stressed the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS);
• Emphasized the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would further complicate the situation or escalate tensions, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law;
• Articulated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the UNCLOS and the UN Charter;
• Emphasized the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities, including land reclamation, which may raise tensions in the South China Sea;
• Reiterated their firm commitment to the full and effective implementation of the
• Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety, and while noting the momentum and new phase of consultations, urged the early adoption of an effective Code of Conduct;
• Pursuant to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety, and pending the early adoption of an effective Code of Conduct, stressed the importance of undertaking confidence building and preventive measures that would enhance, among others, trust and confidence amongst parties.

Almendras noted that the Philippines's arbitration case against China was raised during the meeting.

The Philippines stressed that arbitration is among the legal and diplomatic processes in resolving the disputes in the region that is fully consistent with the DOC and in accordance with international law.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations is expected to issue a ruling on the Philippines's case against China's nine-dash line claim over the disputed sea soon. China, however, insisted that it will not accept the international tribunal's decision.