Singapore (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Bui Van Nam has emphasised the need for ASEAN and China to implement the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and operate a diplomatic hotline to settle problems at sea in an effective manner as part of measures to avoid collision at sea.
Addressing the fourth special discussion on practical measures to prevent encounters at sea in Singapore on June 3 as part of the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue, Deputy Minister Nam said that a state must not find excuses such as internal law to ignore requests to settle incidents at sea sent through the hotline.
At the same time, the CUES must be applied for all government vessels operating in the East (South China) Sea, including military and semi-military ships, he said.
He added that the ASEAN and China should work together for the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East (South China) Sea (COC) which is binding, comprehensive, practical and acts as an effective tool to prevent disputes and maintain peace, stability, navigation and overflight security and safety in the East (South China) Sea.
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