Vietnamese President calls for win-win solution to 'worrying' disputes in South China Sea

SINGAPORE – Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on Tuesday (Aug 30) said the situation in the South China Sea was “worrying”, as he called for a win-win solution to the dispute based on international law.

He added that the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) could explore various diplomatic mechanisms to supplement its consensus decision making process so as to resolve the issue.

Speaking at the 38th Singapore Lecture organised by the Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute on Tuesday morning, Mr Quang said the overlapping claims in the South China Sea threaten maritime safety and freedom of navigation, and could erode trust and cooperation in the region.

“Should we allow instability to take place, especially in the case of armed conflicts, there will be neither winner nor loser, but rather all will lose,” he stated.

“Desire (for stability) will forever remain just a desire unless we take actions,” he said, adding that the dispute should be resolved on the basis of international law – including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea - and mutual interests.

Mr Quang is the first Vietnamese leader to deliver the distinguished lecture, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. The 500 guests include Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as well as policy makers, academics and members of the public.

Previous dignitaries who had delivered the Singapore Lecture include Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Quang is on a three-day state visit to Singapore and had met President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday.

At the lecture on Tuesday, Mr Quang noted that the region is facing multiple challenges including territorial conflicts, cybersecurity, migration and climate change.

“No single country is capable of solving them (the various problems) at their root… The seriousness of these challenges is extremely worrying as long as the ‘might makes right’ mindset and the resort to the use of force still exist,” he said, an indirect reference to China’s assertive actions in the regional maritime domain.

In response to a question by Dr Le Hong Hiep, a research fellow at Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, on how Vietnam perceives Asean’s recent difficulties in arriving at a consensus position on the South China Sea, Mr Quang said that Asean has played a critical role in the settlement of regional disputes, adding that member states should explore more diplomatic mechanisms.

“We all know that the principle of consensus is enshrined in the Asean Charter… But given the new developments, we may consider and supplement the principle (of consensus) with other mechanisms,” he said without elaborating.

Dr Le told TODAY at the sidelines of the event that the President appears to be open to tweaking Asean’s working methods or adding more mechanisms with regard to the South China Sea issue.

“Before recent incidents, consensus worked quite well for Vietnam and some other countries who are sensitive to sovereignty issues. But given Vietnam’s frustration over recent developments, I think now they (the Vietnamese government) are thinking about how to go around it,” observed Dr Le.

China claims a large swathe of the South China Sea. Four Asean member states — Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines — as well as Taiwan also have claims to the strategic waterway, through which US$5 trillion (S$6.8 trillion) in shipborne trade passes every year.

Beijing has dismissed a ruling by The Hague last month invalidating its expansive maritime claims.

Asean’s credibility has been dented as it has struggled to come to a common position over the South China Sea, with some member states with close ties to China – notably Cambodia and Laos - said to have come under pressure from Beijing.

Commenting on Singapore-Vietnam relations, Mr Quang lauded the broad-based and strategic relationship between both countries.

He noted how Singapore and Vietnam have cooperated closely in economic development, defence, real estate and education among others.

“Singapore understands the value of joining hands and joining minds to take hold of these opportunities,” said the Vietnamese leader.

Mr Quang wraps up his visit to Singapore on Tuesday. He will meet with Mr Goh and visit a high-technology business park at One-North before departing for Vietnam.