COC draft framework marks major progress in East Sea

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China adopted this year the draft framework of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea after several years of negotiation. The agreement marks a milestone in restraining tensions in the East Sea.
coc draft framework marks major progress in east sea

50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the Philippines

The agreement marks a milestone in restraining tensions in the East Sea.

Foreign Ministers of ASEAN countries and China officially approved the draft framework of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) on August 6 in Manila, the Philippines.

The move is the first step of the pragmatic negotiation process for an effective and legally-binding COC, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region. It is an outline of definition of the nature of the Code of Conduct detailing legal basis and the proper conduct of countries involved.

Initial step toward creating trust

After being first proposed the COC in the 1990s, ASEAN and China began seriously discussing the agreement in 2002 amidst increasing territorial disputes in the region. But during the past few years, COC negotiations have been repeatedly suspended.

After four years of official consultations, China and ASEAN completed a draft framework for the COC in the middle of 2017. Though it is far from finished, the draft reflects growing trust between the two sides.

Deputy Director of the East Sea Research Institute Le Dinh Tinh said, “By its nature, the COC is not a mechanism to resolve disputes but it creates trust and dialogue between involved parties and defines principles for addressing problems and disputes like the principle of using peaceful measures such as dialogues, the principle of not using force or threatening to use force, and the principle of navigation freedom, safety, and security.

The document will play an important role in enabling countries to resolve disputes.”

Since the Permanent Court of Arbitration made a ruling on the Philippines’ East Sea lawsuit last year, the region has been the focus of countries around the world. The East Sea has been on the agenda of several forums like the G7 and APEC.

British Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever said, "We have to promote mutual clarity about the matter of international law. Since last year, progress toward agreeing a framework for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea represents another important development to set light on areas of difference and areas of agreement as well in the interpretation and application of international maritime law."

More efforts needed to calm the East Sea region

The adoption of the draft framework of the COC reflects progress in the relationship between ASEAN and China and consensus among the 10 ASEAN countries. But it is just a start. It still needs the consensus of all involved parties to become legally effective, said Doctor Le Dinh Tinh.

“International law plays an important role in this issue. Countries in the region need to be committed to international law to ensure order, peace, and stability. The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea serves as a mechanism to settle disputes but the COC cannot. ASEAN wants to accelerate negotiation for an effective and legally-binding COC,” said Mr Tinh.

Whether the COC should be legally binding of COC will be a key issue in the negotiations between ASEAN and China.

Source: VOV

Related News

Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. near US$100 billion milestone

Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. near US$100 billion milestone

VCN - By the end of October, Vietnam's exports to the United States approached US$100 billion, reaffirming its position as Vietnam's largest export market.
Six export markets of billion growth

Six export markets of billion growth

VCN - Our country's key export markets maintained impressive growth momentum. In particular, six markets increased by US$1 billion or more.
Rice exports to China drop sharply

Rice exports to China drop sharply

VCN - While the amount of rice exported to Southeast Asian markets increased sharply, the results in the Chinese market were the opposite.
Cambodia Customs facilitates fastest movement of goods in transit

Cambodia Customs facilitates fastest movement of goods in transit

VCN – The General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCEC) facilitates goods in transit, prompting movement of goods within ASEAN, said by Mr. Kun Nhem – Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, Director General of the GDCEC on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting.

Latest News

Việt Nam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Việt Nam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Việt Nam will be the standout among the top six ASEAN economies (ASEAN-6), growing at a faster pace relative to its peers during the next few years, according to the Oxford Economics, a global economic advisory firm.
PM asks efforts to achieve more than 8 per cent economic growth in 2025

PM asks efforts to achieve more than 8 per cent economic growth in 2025

Prime Minister Phạn Minh Chính has issued Official Dispatch No 137/CĐ-TTg on Friday on accelerating economic growth next year.
Việt Nam

Việt Nam's administrative restructuring will not impact foreign investors, says Foreign Ministry

Under the restructuring roadmap, the government will retain eight ministries and agencies but streamline their internal structures. For the remaining 14, the government will carry out reorganisation and mergers to reduce the number of administrative bodies.
Vietnam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Vietnam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Vietnam will be the standout among the top six ASEAN economies (ASEAN-6), growing at a faster pace relative to its peers during the next few years, according to the Oxford Economics, a global economic advisory firm.

More News

Government Party Organisation must be elite, streamlined, ensure effective operations: PM

Government Party Organisation must be elite, streamlined, ensure effective operations: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the Government Steering Committee for summarising the implementation of Resolution 18-NQ/TW of the 12th Party Central Committee, which seeks to streamline the political system for greater efficiency and effectiveness, chaired the fifth meeting of the committee in Hanoi on December 19.
Vietnam among Asia’s 15 largest economies

Vietnam among Asia’s 15 largest economies

The statistical visualisation platform Seasia Stats recently ranked Vietnam among the top 15 economies in Asia, with projected economic output reaching some 506 billion USD in 2025.
Chinese media praises Vietnam’s economic achievements, outlook

Chinese media praises Vietnam’s economic achievements, outlook

Chinese media outlets, including The Paper, CRI, Sohu, Sina, the Guangdong E-Commerce Association's website, and BWC, have published numerous reports and analyses highlighting Vietnam’s remarkable economic achievements in 2024 and its promising outlook for 2025.
Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 opens

Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 opens

The Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 is due to kick off on December 19 morning at Gia Lam airport in Hanoi, gathering more than 200 units and enterprises from over 30 countries worldwide.
Vietnam sees growing number of Chinese investors: forum

Vietnam sees growing number of Chinese investors: forum

With sustained economic growth over years, Vietnam continues to impress and attract an increasing number of Chinese investors, participants said at an investment and trade forum between Ho Chi Minh City and China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in the southern economic hub on December 17.
Border gate planning: Issues for Lang Son

Border gate planning: Issues for Lang Son

VCN - In order to exploit and promote the potential and economic strengths of border gates, helping to realize the aspiration of turning Lang Son into a "green border city" with a "border gate urban area", the requirements for openness and connectivity in border gate planning need to be clearly oriented, allocated and used effectively. In particular, the planning of border gate areas must be associated with the goal of digital transformation, in which human resources, equipment and infrastructure are prioritized.
Vietnam’s GDP growth poised for robust growth in 2024: officials

Vietnam’s GDP growth poised for robust growth in 2024: officials

With just days remaining in 2024, the Vietnamese economic landscape looks promising, with the GDP growth expected to exceed the set target of 7% thanks to concerted efforts by ministries and sectors, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong.
Total retail sales of goods, services in 11 months up 8.8%

Total retail sales of goods, services in 11 months up 8.8%

Vietnam’s total retail sales of consumer goods and services saw a year-on-year increase of 8.8% to more than 5.8 quadrillion VND (228.4 billion USD) in January – November, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Vietnam should tap domestic market for economic growth: insiders

Vietnam should tap domestic market for economic growth: insiders

Vietnam's domestic market still holds significant untapped potential, and stimulating domestic consumption is a vital strategy to drive economic growth in the near future, according to economic experts.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Việt Nam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Việt Nam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Việt Nam will be the standout among the top six ASEAN economies (ASEAN-6), growing at a faster pace relative to its peers during the next few years, according to the Oxford Economics, a global economic advisory firm.
PM asks efforts to achieve more than 8 per cent economic growth in 2025

PM asks efforts to achieve more than 8 per cent economic growth in 2025

Prime Minister Phạn Minh Chính has issued Official Dispatch No 137/CĐ-TTg on Friday on accelerating economic growth next year.
Việt Nam

Việt Nam's administrative restructuring will not impact foreign investors, says Foreign Ministry

Under the restructuring roadmap, the government will retain eight ministries and agencies but streamline their internal structures. For the remaining 14, the government will carry out reorganisation and mergers to reduce the number of administrative bodies.
Vietnam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Vietnam’s GDP growth to outpace region peers: Oxford Economics

Vietnam will be the standout among the top six ASEAN economies (ASEAN-6), growing at a faster pace relative to its peers during the next few years, according to the Oxford Economics, a global economic advisory firm.
Government Party Organisation must be elite, streamlined, ensure effective operations: PM

Government Party Organisation must be elite, streamlined, ensure effective operations: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the Government Steering Committee for summarising the implementation of Resolution 18-NQ/TW of the 12th Party Central Committee, which seeks to streamline the political system for greater efficiency and effectiveness, chaired the fifth meeting of the committee in Hanoi on December 19.
Mobile Version