By Audrey Morallo
MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asian nations that have competing claims to the South China Sea should first negotiate a code of conduct among themselves before engaging China to have a stronger position, an international affairs analyst said.
In an interview on ANC, Richard Heydarian said that since China was dragging its foot on the issue of a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, Southeast Asian nations that have competing claims in the area should push for “ASEAN minilateralism.”
Heydarian explained that in pushing for “minilateralism,” the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei should negotiate a code of conduct among themselves, a process that can be done more quickly. Aside from these southeast Asian countries, Taiwan and China, which claim almost all of the area, also have claims in the South China Sea.
“What we can do is to push for what we have been calling ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) minilateralism,” Heydarian said. After the negotiation of a code of conduct, these nations could then invite or name and shame China into signing the document.
He also lamented the “watered down position” that the Philippines is taking on the issue.
Heydarian said that as chairman of the ASEAN this year, the Philippines has the prerogative to include in the group’s agenda the issue on the South China Sea and a clear timetable for the negotiation of the framework and guidelines and the finalization of a code of conduct.
“You have certain privileges as chairman of the ASEAN. You have an ASEAN chairman statement later this year where the chairman can say whatever he wants,” Heydarian said.
Heydarian said that countries such as Japan have been prodding the Philippines to take a stronger stance on the issue and not treat the arbitral award as though it were just a piece of paper.
Read the full story at The Philippine Star