China has expressed interest in getting
involved in Asean's drafting of a code of conduct governing activities in the
hotly disputed South China Sea, but this has raised some debate within the
regional grouping.
While
some want Beijing to be involved from the start, others say Asean should find a
common position first, to present a united front before China.
Some
foreign ministers, Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday,
believe that Asean should have 'an idea' of its position.
"China
has indicated it wants to get involved. Asean welcomes that," he said.
"But we need an idea in Asean as to what the elements of the code of conduct
ought to be... What is the position particularly of the claimant states on the
various aspects of the code, which would help crystallise and help move the
discussion forward with China faster?"
Nevertheless,
he called for quick action on the code. Singapore's view, he added, is that
"we must not lose the momentum".
China
and four Asean members - the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia - have
long-held overlapping claims in the South China Sea, which is believed to sit
atop vast oil and gas reserves.
The
regional bloc is seeking to sign a binding code of conduct that would govern
activities in the disputed waters, which have seen several clashes.
But
China, which prefers to deal directly with claimants individually, and Asean
have yet to agree on it. In 2002, they settled for a compromise in the form of
a non-binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,
which requires parties to show restraint and try to build trust and confidence.
Last
year, however, the two parties managed to come to an agreement on a set of
guidelines for the proposed code of conduct, raising hope for progress.
Whether
the South China Sea issue will be raised again at the ongoing Asean summit - as
it has been at previous meetings - remains to be seen.
Philippine
President Benigno Aquino has already made known that his agenda includes
"maritime security and the West Philippine Sea" - a move that could
negate Chinese President Hu Jintao's efforts to take the topic off the table.
Hu, who
has just concluded his first visit to Cambodia in 12 years, arrived with
generous pockets and a friendly request.
China,
he promised Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, would double bilateral trade to
US$5 billion within five years and provide grants and loans of more than $70
million.
But he
also asked Phnom Penh to limit discussions of the South China Sea issue at the
Asean summit, according to Hun's assistant Sry Thamrong.
Another
issue that could arise is the planned rocket launch by North Korea. Pyongyang
denies accusations that it is a test of long-range missile technology, and says
that it is part of plans to launch a peaceful observation satellite.
Asked
about Asean's reaction, Shanmugam said: "We (Singapore) think that this is
totally unwise and wrong. We accept that this is a breach of the Security
Council resolution, and we do urge it not to go ahead."
Li
Xueying
The
Straits Times
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