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‘Urgent progress’ needed for South China Sea Code of Conduct: PM Lee

NAYPYITAW (Myanmar) – The recent flare-ups in the South China Sea serves as a wake-up call and leaders should provide strong political support to conclude the Code of Conduct over the contested waters, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (May 11).

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (2nd left) and his wife Ho Ching leftL) pose with Myanmar's President Thein Sein (2nd right) and his wife Khin Khin Win (right) before the opening ceremony of the 24th ASEAN Summit in Naypyidaw May 11, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (2nd left) and his wife Ho Ching leftL) pose with Myanmar's President Thein Sein (2nd right) and his wife Khin Khin Win (right) before the opening ceremony of the 24th ASEAN Summit in Naypyidaw May 11, 2014. Photo: Reuters

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NAYPYITAW (Myanmar) – The recent flare-ups in the South China Sea serves as a wake-up call and leaders should provide strong political support to conclude the Code of Conduct over the contested waters, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (May 11).

Speaking at the retreat meeting for government leaders at the 24th ASEAN summit, Mr Lee also commended the foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN member states for issuing a statement on the South China Sea disputes yesterday. The statement called for involved parties to exercise self-restraint and settle disputes via peaceful means.

Mr Lee said that ASEAN should take a “common position” on issues affecting all member states and the association must take a “constructive role” in managing the problem. This does not equate to taking sides on the various claims asserted by different countries, “but stating a position which is neutral, forward-looking, and in accordance with international law”, he added.

He called for “urgent progress” on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea to prevent mishaps, noting that the process is challenging but has to be completed.

Over the past week, the Chinese were involved in separate stand-offs with the Filipinos and Vietnamese. The Philippines officials had seized a Chinese fishing vessel over alleged illegal hunting activities. Separately, China accused Vietnam of intentionally colliding with its ships, while Vietnam asserted that Chinese vessels used water cannons and rammed its vessels into Vietnamese ships.

China, in a statement last night, said that the South China Sea issue is not a problem between China and ASEAN, adding that it opposes the attempts of one to two countries to use the South Sea issue to harm the overall friendship and cooperation between China and the ASEAN.

Turning to the haze problem, Mr Lee further urged member states to work together to tackle this. He encouraged member states to use the Singapore-developed haze monitoring system – which aims to identify perpetrators of the haze and put them to justice. Adding that he is looking forward to the full ratification on the ASEAN Agreement on Trans-Boundary Haze Pollution soon, Mr Lee also thanked outgoing Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for presiding over this matter.

Mr Lee reiterated the need for a united ASEAN body to help manage regional uncertainties collectively and to moderate frictions in relations between major powers.

“Conversely, a divided ASEAN undermines our credibility, and relevance to the world,” he added.

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