‘No clear ASEAN consensus yet’ on South China Sea dispute

KUALA LUMPUR — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has not reached a clear consensus to ask China to stop reclamation in the South China Sea, said Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam, despite a call by the Philippines yesterday for the grouping to unite against Beijing.

“Broadly, the consensus is that we have to try to reduce tensions. I think it is fair to say that the process (of negotiating a code of conduct for the South China Sea) could have been faster. We just have to keep pushing,” Mr Shanmugam told reporters after attending an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting yesterday where the issue of South China Sea was discussed.

Just prior to the meeting, the Philippines had urged ASEAN to take immediate steps to halt land reclamation by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, warning that failure to do so will see Beijing take “de facto control” of the area. Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told his ASEAN counterparts that if China’s construction of artificial islands on reefs claimed by other countries is allowed to be completed, then Beijing will impose its claim over more than 85 per cent of the sea.

Speaking to the media, Mr Shanmugam said that it was important not to let the South China Sea situation affect other aspects of ASEAN-China cooperation. “I have said many times, that if you start looking at ASEAN-China relations through the prism of the South China Sea, you are getting it wrong completely,” he said.

He pointed out that there is substantial economic, security, political relations between China and ASEAN, in both bilateral and multilateral terms. “There is a dispute here because some of the claimant states have territorial disputes with China. Those have to be seen in perspective. Key is not to allow that to interfere with the rest of the relationship,” he added.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, as Chair of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, echoed the same view in a news conference.

“We need to handle this matter constructively, since it has the very potential of putting to naught all ASEAN’s past and present efforts to ensure peace, security and stability in the South China Sea. It may also affect the efforts in building, maintaining and enhancing mutual trust and confidence amongst parties,” said Mr Anifah.

He also urged all parties to intensify consultations on the code of conduct in the South China Sea.

China is claiming a large part of the sea in a move that could affect freedom of navigation in waters through which up to 50 per cent of global oil tanker shipments pass. China’s claims overlap with claims by Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Recent satellite images show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in contested territory in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands via reclamation and may be planning another, sparking concern in the region.