Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy made the remarks at an unofficial annual meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers on Friday. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, U.S, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Quy said all parties should strive to act in accordance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea, as well as push negotiations to pass the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as soon as possible. Solidarity and unity within ASEAN play a key role in maintaining peace and stability within the region, he affirmed. Echoing Quy, ASEAN foreign ministers agreed that the bloc needs to maintain its solidarity and unity on the foundation of multilateralism and free trade. Later the same day, at an ASEAN-UN Ministerial meeting, delegates reiterated that regional and international disputes should be resolved in … [Read more...] about Vietnam highlights ASEAN role in resolving South China Sea issues
South china sea
Japanese carrier drills with British warship heading to contested South China Sea
Britain, Japan and their close ally the U.S. have found common cause in countering growing Chinese influence in the region that they worry could put key commercial sea lanes linking Asia with Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere under Beijing’s sway. “We have traditional ties with the British navy and we are both close U.S. allies and these drills are an opportunity for us to strengthen cooperation,” Kenji Sakaguchi, the Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) commander of the Kaga group’s four helicopters said on the hangar deck. The more frequent presence of the Royal Navy in a region is a chance for the two navies to train more closely in the future, he added. The Argyll, Kaga and its destroyer escort the Inazuma practiced formations on calm seas in the Indian Ocean close to commercial sea lanes plied by container vessels and oil tankers. Three helicopters from the Japanese carrier hovered above, monitoring the drill. The Argyll’s arrival in the region comes after … [Read more...] about Japanese carrier drills with British warship heading to contested South China Sea
Vietnam reiterates stance after British, Japanese South China Sea drills
She said at a press conference that Vietnam’s position on freedom of navigation in the East Sea, internationally known as South China Sea, has been consistent. "Vietnam respects the rights to freedom of navigation and overflight of other countries in the East Sea in accordance with international laws, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," she said. Hang also reiterated that Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) Islands in accordance with international laws. She called for other countries to contribute "practically and responsibly" to the maintenance of order, peace and the rule of law in the East Sea. Hang was responding to questions regarding recent activities by the British and Japanese navies in the waters. The British Royal Navy's amphibious warship HMS Albion sailed close to the Paracel Islands on its way to Saigon Port in Ho Chi Minh City … [Read more...] about Vietnam reiterates stance after British, Japanese South China Sea drills
Storm Barijat to devolve into depression as Mangkhut heads for South China Sea
As of Wednesday morning, Barijat was approximately 510 kilometers away from China’s Hainan Island to the northeast, with a maximum wind speed of 75kph, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting. Over the next two days, the typhoon will travel towards Vietnam’s northern coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Nam Dinh. It is expected to devolve into a tropical depression as it makes landfall Friday morning. Quang Ninh is home to the popular Ha Long Bay and Nam Dinh is two hours south of Hanoi. The Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has asked relevant authorities to stay in contact with fishing boasts in their jurisdictions as a precaution and ensure safety of residents in storm-prone areas. Barijat isn’t the only storm brewing in Southeast Asia right now. Super Typhoon Mangkhut, also known as Ompong in the Philippines, is heading towards the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea, over the next three … [Read more...] about Storm Barijat to devolve into depression as Mangkhut heads for South China Sea
South China Sea is ‘on low boil,’ analysts warn
At the 51st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM 51) in Singapore earlier this month, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced that ASEAN and China have successfully adopted a single draft negotiating text on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC). This adoption, only achieved after years of negotiation between them, is among the significant positive developments in the situation, according to a Vietnamese Foreign Ministry official, who asked to remain unnamed. Speaking to VnExpress, the official said that compared to previous meetings AMM 51 also saw all ASEAN members finally agree on noting their concerns on the land reclamations and activities in the troubled waters. These activities have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and could undermine peace, security and stability in the region, ASEAN members noted in their joint communique. They also agreed to maintain ASEAN's central role in the region. "This shows the interest of ASEAN members … [Read more...] about South China Sea is ‘on low boil,’ analysts warn