ASEAN and China dispassionate debates around territorial conflicts

BANGKOK- The cebration on August 2nd of the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership was a solemn moment. Representatives of all ASEAN countries came to listen to the opening speeches of Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul and China Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. Both evocated the remarkable achievements obtained through cooperation and strategic partnership between China and ASEAN. ASEAN is in fact the link between major international and regional powers, a crossroad between China and the Pacific eastwards and India and the Middle East westwards.
ASEAN benefited greatly from its special partnership with China as the Asian giant has seen its economy surging by an average of 9.2% over the last 25 years. “We have seen promising economic opportunities as we witnessed the steady rise of China and the transformation of the ASEAN”, explained Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Together, China and ASEAN form the world’s largest Free Trade Agreement zone. Total investments of China to ASEAN are reaching now over six billion US dollar a year while trade between both partners surged to over 400 billion US dollars last year compared to 52 billion back to 2002. We now target 500 billion US dollars in trade by 2015. China is also for ASEAN the second largest inbound travel market with 7.3 million of tourists in 2012”, underlined in his speech China Minister of Foreign affairs. According to Mr. Wang Yi, with 1,000 flights per week, air connections between China and ASEAN countries are now surpassing the number of weekly flights between China and Japan or between China and Korea.
In his remarks at the Forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul noted that ASEAN’s relations with China have been robust, action-oriented, and diversified, based on friendship, mutual trust, and confidence. “From a perception of being a threat to ASEAN own development, China is now perceived as a trusted partner actively engaged in  trade, investment, finance, sciences, technology or tourism. China has today a consultative role as ASEAN is turning into a community”, indicated Mr. Tovichakchaikul.
One of the most obvious presence of China is in ASEAN infrastructure development. China is increasingly involved into the development of transport links. “Better connections means better integration”, explained Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to Wang Yi, relations between China and ASEAN reach today a new stage. “We must now work together to improve the quality of our economic growth. But our most important foundation is to assure peace and stability among us through consultations and equal dialogue”, added the Chinese Minister.
The comment came as tensions have flared over the last months on territorial disputes involving islands in the South China Sea, especially with the Philippines and Vietnam.
Thailand has urged ASEAN and China to better mobilize resources, encourage private sector participation, and develop a strategy to enhance institutional and people-to-people linkages in order to achieve optimal outcomes.
Mr. Surapong urged that differences be managed through dialogue and cooperation. On the South China Sea, he urged not letting one issue be a barometer of ASEAN-China relations and encouraged both sides to work together to transform the area from a sea of uncertainty and mistrust into a sea of shared interests and cooperation.
He was also pleased that ASEAN and China had finally agreed to start official consultations on a Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea at the senior officials’ level in September 2013.
Mr. Surapong emphasized the importance of a more integrated ASEAN Community and greater inter-regional connectivity. He also encouraged development of a strategic partnership for the 21st century that would be more comprehensive, relevant, and responsive to the needs of the region.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi suggested proper settlement of differences, such as disputes over territorial sovereignty, through peaceful means based on dialogue conducted on an equal footing and friendly consultation. He reiterated China’s commitment to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC), and noted that the process towards the CoC was gradual. China would contribute to regional peace and stability and the growth of the Asian region.
China, he said, would work with ASEAN countries to advance the CoC process to make the South China Sea truly a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. “ASEAN will without doubt benefit from China future. As neighbours sharing common history and culture, our partnership represents rather an opportunity than a threat”, added Mr. Wang Yi.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews