At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit being held between September 6 and 8, Obama called the results of an worldwide arbitration that denied Beijing’s “historic claims” to the South China Sea, “binding”, and promised more diplomatic and economic cooperation in the region, Voice of America (VOA) reported on September 8.
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The Philippines took its dispute with China to the worldwide tribunal some years ago, but the country’s new president, Rodrigo Duterte, who took office on June 30, has been more conciliatory toward China.
The use of the phrase “some leaders” in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem ASEAN has in dealing with China – not all its members are willing to scold Beijing.
United States President Barack Obama today joined ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-related Summit – ASEAN-US – here, with the Malaysian delegation led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Mr Turnbull said he had had a favourable response to his offer on Wednesday night to host an ASEAN summit in Australia in 2018 to help maintain peace and stability in the region.
Hours before the meeting, however, the Philippines’ defence ministry released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012.
Abe referred to Japan’s position of making and clarifying claims based on worldwide law, not using force or coercion in trying to drive their claims, and seeking to settle disputes by peaceful means – a set of three principles that Japan, the USA and five other major industrialized nations affirmed during a Group of Seven summit that Abe hosted in May.
On July 12, the Hague-based International Arbitral Tribunal decided in favor of the Philippines, saying that the nine-dash line claimed by China had no basis.
“We stand in solidarity and support of China’s position on this issue – not to recognize the decision of this court”, Putin said, calling his stance “purely legal”.
With the joint efforts of China and the ASEAN, the South China Sea situation has cooled down as both sides have worked together to eliminate interference and properly handle issues according to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the “dual-track approach”.
Mr Turnbull, in discussions he said would be diplomatic but frank, concurred: “What we seek is that the rulings of global tribunals, including this one, are respected”. Taiwan and four ASEAN members – Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei – also have claims, making it a hot spot of regional tension.
Turnbull said it was critically important that claimants in the South China Sea resolved their disputation between themselves. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons.
Obama said he realizes the ruling raised tensions but he says the US wants these disputes to be resolved peacefully and will keep working to help make that happen.
Beijing has refused to accept The Hague’s ruling and has accused the USA of interference.
The area is just 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the main island of the Philippines, where U.S. forces are stationed.
“Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea”.
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A summit of Southeast Asian countries issued a mild rebuke of China on Wednesday over its expansionist activities in the disputed South China Sea, and indirectly urged it to show restraint and not raise tensions.
