China and ASEAN agree to peacefully resolve South China Sea maritime issues. (Photo : Getty Images)
China has come into an agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) days after it successfully dodged direct criticism from the group.
A report from the South China Morning Post revealed how China and the ASEAN released a joint statement implying their agreement that the uninhabited features in the South China Sea should remain as such.
The statement comes just days after media reported about a gridlock among senior ASEAN officials regarding the international ruling released by the Permanent Court in The Hague on the South China Sea maritime disputes.
Diplomatic Win
China maintained its position and came out stronger after the international ruling was released in July.
Since then, the United States and its ally countries that are also members of the ASEAN have tried to push for the release of a joint statement calling onto Beijing and highlighting the ruling.
Unfortunately, the ASEAN encountered a gridlock over the weekend, leading to China's "diplomatic victory" as described by an article from Reuters.
According to the outlet, the gridlock involving ASEAN foreign ministers was undone only when the Philippines withdrew the U.S.-backed request in mentioning the ruling in a statement.
Apparently, Cambodia, China's closest ally, tossed in a resolute opposition on the request.
Since the ASEAN worked strictly on consensus, the opposition brought the group in a gridlock.
Instead, the ASEAN opted to express its concerns on the disputes on the South China Sea, a topic that the ruling defined as well.
"We remain seriously concerned about recent and ongoing developments and took note of the concerns expressed by some ministers on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region," ASEAN said in a statement.
China and ASEAN Agreement
Days after the ASEAN gridlock, the member countries' leaders also came to an agreement with China that all parties should avoid any "action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner."
The joint statement also states a vow from both parties to continue respecting the freedom of navigation in the waters as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes in the said territory.
According to SCMP, both parties will continue to push for the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea where a binding code of conduct is expected to be drafted and finalized by 2017.
