ASEAN SECRETARIAT
JAKARTA
INDONESIA

NEWS RELEASE

4 NOVEMBER 2002

ASEAN AND CHINA SIGN DECLARATION ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

PHNOM PENH ( Nov 4) – ASEAN Foreign Ministers today signed a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea with China’s Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Eighth ASEAN Summit in Cambodia.

The parties agreed to promote a peaceful, friendly and harmonious environment in the South China Sea by enhancing favourable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution to the differences and disputes between claimant states of the Spratly Islands namely China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.

"We hope that this declaration will turn into a South-South cooperation and I'm confident that this move will lead to mutual trust in the resolution of problems on the issue of sovereignty that can be resolved through bilateral cooperation," said Mr. Wang Yi.

The signatories reaffirmed their respect for and commitment to the freedom of navigation and overflight of the South China Sea and will “undertake to resolve their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force”.

The ministers agreed to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicated or escalate disputes that would affect regional peace and stability which includes refraining from inhabiting presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals and cays.

The parties will undertake dialogues and exchanges of views between defence officials and voluntarily notify other concerned parties of any impending joint military exercises. They also agreed to explore or undertake cooperation in marine environmental protection, marine scientific research, navigation safety and maritime communication, conduct search and rescue operations and to combat transnational crimes like drug-trafficking, piracy, armed robbery and arms smuggling.

Mr. Wang Yi expressed hope that the joint commitment by regional leaders to promote peace and stability through cooperation will enable their governments to concentrate on  economic development.

ENDS//

______________________________________________________________________

Issued by:

GERALDINE GOH
Senior Officer
Public Information
ASEAN SECRETARIAT

Jakarta contact:

Tel: (6221) 724-3372, 726-2991 ext 245
Fax: (6221) 739-8234, 724-3504

Email: [email protected]

For news releases and information, visit out website at www.aseansec.org