China wanted sea row out of ASEM

MANILA, Philippines - China strongly campaigned to keep out territorial disputes in the South China Sea from the chairman’s statement at the end of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and summit in Milan that ended yesterday, diplomatic sources said.

The final statement was expected late last night.

Sources said the South China Sea issue was not specifically mentioned in the draft chairman’s statement even as large European economies pushed to retain it in the final document.

“There has been a strong campaign by the Chinese to take it out since it has to be approved by unanimity,” a source said. “They (Chinese) were going around. They went country by country seeking to convince countries.”

China paid attention to countries in Europe economically working hard to grow or return to growth and need to get favorable attention from China and obtain Chinese investments, sources said.

The 10th ASEM took place on Thursday and Friday under the theme “Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security.”

Hosting the meeting in Milan was Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

European Council president Herman Van Rompuy chaired the meeting and the EU was equally represented by European Commission president José Manuel Barroso.

Heads of state and governments of 29 European states and 22 Asian partners attended. ASEM leaders at the summit also welcomed Croatia and Kazakhstan as the 52nd and 53rd ASEM partners.

ASEM is an informal process of dialogue and cooperation bringing together EU member states, European countries and the EU with Asian countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat.

The ASEM dialogue addresses political, economic and cultural issues, with the objective of strengthening the relationship between the two regions, in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.

Sources said disputes would be discussed in the meeting whether or not the South China Sea appears in the final document.

“Europe sees the dispute in the South China Sea and elsewhere must be tackled responsibly in accordance with international law, so Europe is keen to get this message across,” another source said. “And we believe this is the time to uphold international order.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario represented President Aquino in the ASEM, held every two years.

He underscored that the core issue in the dispute is China’s so-called “nine-dash line” position, an expansive claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over nearly the entire South China Sea.

He referred to the EU Council president’s recent encouragement for the Philippines to pursue its maritime disputes with China and defend the Philippine position in accordance with the rule of law.

Without mentioning China, the Philippines criticized a member state at the United Nations General Assembly last month for embarking on expansionist territorial claims that violate its rights.

Del Rosario said the Philippines invited the State Party to settle their maritime disputes peacefully through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including its provisions on dispute settlement, specifically arbitration.

It refused to join the Philippines and has continued to unilaterally embark on an expansionist claim that violates the legitimate rights of the Philippines and other littoral neighbors under UNCLOS, such as their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.

Del Rosario said instead of peacefully resolving the maritime disputes within the framework of UNCLOS, that state embarked on a series of dangerous, reckless and forceful activities in an attempt to impose unilateral change in the maritime status quo of the South China Sea.

The 10th ASEM started on Thursday with sessions comprising the three ASEM forums; the representatives of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF) and Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF).

At the first plenary session “Promoting Financial and Economic Cooperation through Enhanced Europe-Asia Connectivity,” leaders focused on economic and financial cooperation, multilateral trade and fostering growth and jobs.

The second session on “Europe-Asia Partnership in Addressing Global Matters in an Inter-Connected World,” was devoted to issues such as climate change, Millennium Development Goals, human rights, disaster management and energy security.

Code of conduct

The Philippines and Vietnam also committed to urge other ASEM partners to support the effective implementation of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the expeditious conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC).

“These activities are in contravention of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and are contrary to the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” Del Rosario said, referring to unilateral actions in the South China Sea.

Del Rosario also cited the EU Council president’s recent encouragement for the Philippines to pursue its maritime disputes with China and defend Manila’s position in accordance with the rule of law.