ASEAN sidetracks South China Sea dispute, advocates stronger economic ties with China

Steering clear of accusing China for the maritime disputes in the South China Sea (SCS), the 10-country Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has, instead, focused on a regional trade pact and shoring up economies of some of the lesser developed countries in the grouping.

A Chairman’s statement issued at the end of the Manila summit on Sunday took note of the improving cooperation between ASEAN and China.

It welcomed the progress to complete a framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) by mid-2017 in order to facilitate the early conclusion of an effective COC.

The COC is a non-binding document that urges self-restraint and resolution of disputes through direct negotiations On the sidelines of the summit, Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez explained that President Rodrigo Duterte, who chaired the meeting, had “developed friendship” with China on his trip to Beijing in October. This had “opened many doors to the Philippines”.

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“We still have differences over the South China Sea. The wisdom is to put this issue aside and talk about business and strengthening economic ties,” he said. “It’s not about getting a donation and fighting back in the future,” he observed.

The document welcomed the operationalisation of the Guidelines for Hotline Communications among senior officials of the ministries of foreign affairs of ASEAN countries and China in response to maritime emergencies.

The leaders focused on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, pointing out that the giant free trade pact will boost global trade.

The RCEP is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between ASEAN and the six other states —Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. The document highlighted a commitment to assist Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to enable them to bolster regional integration.

The grouping reaffirmed its aspiration to play a bigger role in the global economy. ASEAN's combined GDP stood at 2.55 trillion U.S. dollars in 2016, buoyed by growth rate of 4.7 percent. The regional economy is expected to record a 4.8 per dent growth rate in 2017.

The leaders reiterated their full support for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and for concerned parties to explore all avenues for immediate dialogue.

The ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.