International seminar discusses maritime security in the East Sea
The US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) organised a seminar on maritime security in the East Sea on June 20, focusing on issues related to sovereignty, territorial disputes, regional stability, freedom of international navigation and exploitation of under sea natural resources.
The two-day event was attended by senior officials, policy makers, researchers and US and international scholars. Their discussions focused on four major topics: interests and positions of parties in the East Sea; recent developments in the East Sea; the effectiveness of the current frameworks and mechanisms for maritime security in the East Sea; and recommendations for policies to enhance security in the region.
International scholars presented reports on pending issues related to the East Sea, especially the recent incidents that have intensified the situation in the East Sea and raised concerns for many countries around the world.
Participants also analysed the reasons leading to China’s recent acts against some other countries in the East Sea and proposed measures to ease the tension, aiming to ensure stability and security in the East Sea.
Professor. Su Hao from the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing said controversial issues in the East Sea are very complicated and the concerned parities need more time to negotiate.
To ease the current tension, countries in the region need to promote non-traditional security and economic cooperation between China and ASEAN nations to enhance East Asia integration.
It is essential to find a better approach to boost joint cooperation in exploring for natural resources based on bilateral and multilateral mutual benefits and continue to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to make the East Sea a region of cooperation and peace rather than conflicts.
However, Dr. Termsak Chalermpalanupap, Assistant Director for Programme Coordination and External Relations of the ASEAN Secretariat, said there are still differences between ASEAN and China. ASEAN countries always respect the principle of negotiating and promote continual negotiations, while China has held negotiations but acted unilaterally.
Lawyer Tran Dinh, a Vietnamese representative said, “Participants show their keen interest in China’s recent attitude that has raised major concern about security in Southeast Asia and the world.
Some delegates also proposed changing the name of the South China Sea as China calls it or the East Sea as Vietnam calls it, to the Sea of Peace and Friendship or the ASEAN Sea.
The same day, US Senator John McCain delivered the keynote speech at the seminar.