To peacefully manage disputes in the southern Chinese Sea
The talks between ASEAN – the economic community of the countries of Southeast Asia – and China for the signature of the code of conduct in the southern Chinese Sea, long postponed, are taking hold, with differences closer to the solution than in the past. Sources and ambassadors of five Member countries of Asean, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the Straits Times that interviews reserved behind closed doors are underway.
According to what reported by the Singapore newspaper, the new momentum to conclude the agreement is partly due to the desire for Beijing to limit the actions of the other countries that claim claims and to anticipate any moves in the region by the new administration of the United States, under the presidency of Donald Trump.
The code of conduct is an agreement under discussion for over 20 years that wants to avoid conflicts and encourage management in a peaceful way of territorial disputes. In 2002, the parties signed the declaration on the conduct of the parties, but without binding commitments. China has often made unilateral decisions, creating tensions.
