DOC promotes peace, trust, cooperation between ASEAN, China: Foreign Affairs Expert
Thứ Năm, 18/8/2022| 10:05As the first document achieved by ASEAN and China on the East Sea issue, the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) had become the basic instrument for building political mutual trust among regional countries and laid a solid foundation for the further development and upgrading of China-ASEAN relations.
The Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) has contributed to promoting peace, trust and cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, former Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Dy Nien told a conference held by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 25.
This is the virtual event to mark the 20th anniversary of the DOC. It brought together incumbent and former Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states, including those joining the signing of the document in 2002, as well as a number of scholars from both sides.
The Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed concerned parties continue maintaining peace and cooperation at sea and promoting talks for the early finalisation of a practical and effective COC in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to build the East Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation
Representatives from Vietnam also comprised Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai and Vice Chairman of the National Boundary Commission under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Dong.
The event featured three sessions discussing the historic moment of the signing, the results and prospects for the DOC implementation, and the progress and direction for consultations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China.
Nguyen Dy Nien said that the DOC was the first important document signed between ASEAN and a partner country, emphasizing that it reaffirms respect and commitment of the parties to freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and to peacefully settling disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
Incumbent FMs from ASEAN member states held that ASEAN and China must continue fully implementing the DOC and provide an enabling environment for the talks on the COC; while their predecessors recalled the necessity of the DOC and the process towards its signing two decades ago and reiterated its crucial role in maintaining regional peace, security, stability, cooperation and prosperity.
Regarding the COC - one of the important contents of the DOC, Vice Chairman of the National Boundary Commission Nguyen Manh Dong said that the results of COC negotiations have been fairly positive and substantive so far and that the parties must practice self-restraint, avoid any actions that may complicate the situation, and respect rights and interests of concerned parties in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.
Dong also stressed that since the East Sea area has been receiving much attention from countries inside and outside the region, so the security and stability in the East Sea not only directly affect countries in the region but also, more broadly, affect the international situation.
It is understandable that other countries are interested in the East Sea, he said, especially the East Sea is an area with many international maritime routes, which according to UNCLOS 1982, countries have the right to freedom of navigation and overflight under the relevant provisions of the Convention.
"The policy of Vietnam and that of many countries are to welcome the responsible contributions of the parties, in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982; exercise rights, including freedom of navigation, overflight and other rights in accordance with the Covention, and contribute responsibly to the process of maintaining peace, security, stability and cooperation in the area," said Dong.
He believes that in the context of complicated developments in the East Sea region, the implementation of the DOC should be prioritized, especially in the following aspects: firstly, strictly complying with commitments, respecting respect the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states established in accordance with UNCLOS; secondly, strengthen review of DOC implementation; thirdly, promote specific cooperation projects and programs in line with commitments.
NHUNG NGUYEN
Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao on the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
According to the Vietnamese Ambassador, UNCLOS is and will be one of the most important achievements in the history of development of international law of the...
Seven universities in Vietnam meet int'l accreditation standards
Seven Vietnamese universities meet international accreditation standards, according to the Ministry of Education and Training.
Catastrophic overfishing in South China Sea could lead to extinction
A catastrophic problem facing China that will impact the rest of the world is coming to a head – and every Aussie will be affected.
Why Africa Should Be Concerned With Increasing Tensions in the East and South China Sea
For African countries, tension and instability in East Asia might seem far away, but its potential to adversely affect African development ambitions is real.
The East China Sea: Chinese Efforts to Establish a “New Normal” and Prospects for Peaceful Management
As the world turns its attention from Chinese militarization of the South China Sea islets to North Korean nuclear and missile provocations, China is making...
Vietnam-Philippines: Maritime cooperation highlighted the relationship
Vietnam-Philippines celebrates the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (July 12, 1976 - July 12, 2021), but the exchange has been...
