No more provocations

The Association of Southeast Asian Na- tions meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last week, yielded many results in promoting regional cooperation. However, for the first time in the association's history, ASEAN foreign ministers failed to issue their customary joint statement showcasing common ground after their annual meeting on Friday.

Such an outcome no doubt frustrated Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, as his country, along with Vietnam, had tried in vain to persuade the other members to agree to a strongly worded document supporting them in their South China Sea disputes with China.

To confront China over the issue, the two countries have chosen to sow the seeds of discord in ASEAN, a move that is sure to harm the association's solidarity.

It is certain that ASEAN will continue to focus on shoring up regional development and prosperity even without a declaration. But if it intends to play a bigger role in regional and international affairs, it needs to stop troublemakers taking its meetings hostage.

Although it has indisputable sovereignty over the maritime territory, China has exercised the utmost restraint in its response to the provocative actions of the Philippines and Vietnam and fully complied with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, a document signed by China and ASEAN in 2002, which recognizes nation-to-nation negotiations in settling the disputes.

Last week in Phnom Penh, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reiterated China's stance of shelving differences and seeking joint development. He said Beijing is open to discussions on a code of conduct on the basis of full compliance with the declaration by all parties.

But to pave the way for such discussions, the parties concerned must refrain from making moves that will escalate and complicate the disputes. This year, the Philippines has laid unwarranted claim to Huangyan Island, and Vietnam enacted a law to assert sovereignty over some of the Xisha and Nansha islands.

All these moves have seriously infringed upon China's maritime territorial sovereignty. It is a misjudgment to think that China will continue to tolerate such reckless moves and not safeguard its maritime territory.

The Philippines and Vietnam must stop coveting China's territories. If they do not mend their ways, they are sure to encounter greater frustrations.

(China Daily 07/16/2012 page8)