Beijing likely to adopt more open approach

Wang Yi

Code of conduct among key issues to be discussed by ministers in Brunei today

China is likely to soften its stance and be open to compromises to settle disputes in the South China Sea with ASEAN members when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sits with his ASEAN counterparts in Brunei today.

The dispute over the South China Sea has cast a shadow over relations between ASEAN and China for a long time and both sides do not want to be stuck with one issue, Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

"But, it is also difficult to move ahead unless we can overcome such problems," Sihasak said.

The dispute over the South China Sea led to a diplomatic disaster for ASEAN last year when the regional grouping failed to issue its annual joint communique after they were unable to reach a consensus on how to address the issue. It became the most watched issue at the ASEAN ministerial meeting this year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expects a productive meeting on all issues, including the South China Sea, said an official close to the preparations for the Asean-China meeting.

This is the first time Beijing has signalled that it would discuss the possibility of a so-called "code of conduct" for the South China Sea. Previously, China had only insisted that the non-binding ASEAN Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea issued since 2002 was enough.

Thailand, as the current coordinator of Asean-China cooperation, would do its best to find the way forward for a code of conduct in South China Sea, Sihasak said.

Asean wanted to hold a meeting of senior officials to discuss the process of coming up with a code of conduct, he said.

The code of conduct, if any, might not be able to end the dispute, but it would help concerned parties to act with good practice and strive for a peaceful solution, he said.

"We all share the same ultimate goal to have peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the sea," Sihasak said.

Beside the issue of South China Sea, China also wanted to discuss a wide range of cooperation issues such as economic moves and connectivity to build up an ASEAN community, he said.

After the annual meeting in Brunei, ASEAN and China will have a special ministerial meeting in Beijing in late August to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Asean-China strategic partnership.

The special meeting would also discuss the building up of an ASEAN community, connectivity, people-to-people relations and the South China Sea.

"We want to make relations with China comprehensive, forward-looking and relevant to new challenges," Sihasak said. "It should be a relationship and cooperation for peace, stability and progress."

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/06/30/beijing-likely-to-adopt-more-open-approach/