Thai PM vows commitment to code of conduct on South China Sea row

[webfact]

ASEAN
Thai PM vows commitment to code of conduct on South China Sea row
Kristine Angeli Sabillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA -- As the conflict over the South China Sea persists, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday assured Philippine President Benigno Aquino III that Thailand would continue to ensure the implementation of a code of conduct between China and the members states of the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean).

Thailand is the country coordinator assigned to Asean-China relations for 2012 to 2015.

Prayut, who is visiting Manila for the first time since he assumed office in August last year, said he and Aquino discussed their views on the issue during the hour-long expanded bilateral meeting held in Malacañang on Friday morning.

"I expressed appreciation to the Philippines for supporting Thailand in the role of country coordinator for Asean-China relations and [Thailand is] firm to cooperate with the Philippines and Asean countries in fully implementing the declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and promoting consultation in the conduct in the South China Sea," he said.

Asean and China have long been working on a binding code of conduct to address numerous issues faced by countries claiming parts of South China Sea. However, only a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was finalized and signed in 2002.

The declaration reaffirms the parties' commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws on state-to-state relations. It also states that Asean members and China should resolve disputes "by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations."

China's reclamation and construction of artificial islands in disputed areas of South China Sea has heightened tension in the region.

Prayut also said his government would support Singapore as it takes over the task of country coordinator this year.

During his speech, Aquino congratulated Thailand for its success in facilitating Asean-China relations.

"Thailand has truly been a reliable companion of the Philippines in promoting understanding, peace, and stability not only within our community and region, but throughout the larger community of nations," Aquino said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-PM-vows-commitment-to-code-of-conduct-on-Sout-30267638.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-28

[peterjackson]

Actions speak louder than words.

Aligning yourself with Communist China whilst being the ASEAN/China country coordinator is a conflict of interest.

[JoePai]

Mmmm the Philippines or China, now let me see - ah I know

[zaphod reborn]

I'm certain the Philippines will be relieved when Singapore takes over this role from Thailand.

[sendintheclowns]

Actions speak louder than words.

Aligning yourself with Communist China whilst being the ASEAN/China country coordinator is a conflict of interest.

Bad boy,Thailand. Bad boy! By all means cut off inter-country trade, during the 12 months Thailand holds this ASEAN committee chair. China has been Thailand's largest export destination since 2010, and the Kingdom's largest import source since 2014. Two-way trade between Thailand and China in 1991 accounted for 2.25 per cent of this country's global trade value. That figure had risen to 13.96 per cent as of 2014.

Please contact Singapore, the next Chair of this ASEAN committee. Give them your speech about 'actions speak louder than words' .

And, check out http://www.neurorexia.com/2014/12/11/the-male-idiot-theory/

[ourmanflint]

I wonder how long the other members of ASEAN will tolerate Thailand being a member?? My guess.. not very long.

[MobileContent]

I'm certain the Philippines will be relieved when Singapore takes over this role from Thailand.

Singapore has billions of investment in China and have after HK the best relation with the government of China.

Here are some interesting parts from Wikipedia

The 1887 Chinese-Vietnamese Boundary convention signed between France and China after the Sino-French War said that China was the owner of the Spratly and Paracel islands.

China sent naval forces on inspection tours in 1902 and 1907 and placed flags and markers on the islands. The Qing dynasty's successor state, the Republic of China, claimed the Spratly and Paracel islands under the jurisdiction of Hainan.

In 1933, France asserted its claims to the islands^[53] to the Spratly and Paracel Islands on behalf of its then-colony Vietnam.

In November 1946, the ROC sent naval ships to take control of the islands after the surrender of Japan.^[56] It had chosen the largest and perhaps the only inhabitable island, Taiping Island, as its base, and it renamed the island under the name of the naval vessel as Taiping.

The KMT force of the ROC government withdrew from most of the Spratly and Paracel Islands after they retreated to Taiwan from the opposing Communist Party of China due to their losses in the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949.

In 1946, the Americans reminded the Philippines at its independence that the Spratlys was not Philippine territory, both to not anger Chiang Kai-shek in China and because the Spratlys were not part of the Philippines per the 1898 treaty Spain signed with America.

North Vietnam recognised China's claims on the Paracels and Spratlys during the Vietnam War as it was being supported by China. Only after winning the war and conquering South Vietnam did North Vietnam retract its recognition and admitted it recognised them as part of China to receive aid from China in fighting the Americans

Under President Lee Teng-hui, Taiwan stated that "legally, historically, geographically, or in reality", all of the South China Sea and Spratly islands were Taiwan's territory and under Taiwanese sovereignty, and denounced actions undertaken there by Malaysia and the Philippines, in a statement on 13 July 1999 released by the foreign ministry of Taiwan.^[67] Taiwan and China's claims "mirror" each other; during international talks involving the Spratly islands, China and Taiwan have cooperated with each other since both have the same claims.

In June 2011, the Philippines began officially referring to the South China Sea as the "West Philippine Sea" and the Reed Bank as "Recto Bank".^[82][83]

In July 2012, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed a law demarcating Vietnamese sea borders to include the Spratly and Paracel Islands.^[84][85]

In 2010 it was reported that former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad believed Malaysia could profit from China's economic growth through co-operation with China.^[86] In 2011, Mahathir said that China was not a threat to anyone and was not worried about aggression from China, accusing the United States of provoking China and trying to turn China's neighbours against China.^[87] Malaysia displayed no concern over China conducting a military exercise at James Shoal in March 2013.^[88]

In August 2013, Malaysia suggested that it might work with China over their South China Sea claims and ignore the other claimants, with Malaysian Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein saying that Malaysia had no problem with China patrolling the South China Sea, and telling ASEAN, America, and Japan that "Just because you have enemies, doesn't mean your enemies are my enemies."

The Spratly Islands should go back to China. I think both Malaysia and Brunei can live with it as they have not really much chances to claim it.

In 1946, the Americans reminded the Philippines at its independence that the Spratlys was not Philippine territory, both to not anger Chiang Kai-shek in China and because the Spratlys were not part of the Philippines per the 1898 treaty Spain signed with America.

I think the Philippines have no right to the Islands as well, so it keeps either Taiwan or China

Edited August 28, 2015 by MobileContent

[Reigntax]

The PM has committed to using the latest Thai technology, morse code, when communicating with neighbours.

[NongKhaiKid]

Say whatever suits at the time and later if push comes to shove LoS will go with whoever they think is ' winning '.

[NongKhaiKid]

Apologies for double post.

Edited August 28, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[elgordo38]

Say whatever suits at the time and later if push comes to shove LoS will go with whoever they think is ' winning '.

Kind of reminds me of a game we played as kids called Beggar your Neighbor here are the rules Beggar My Neighbor -- also known as Beggar-My-Neighbor, Beggar Your Neighbor and Beggar-Your-Neighbor -- is a children's card game which doesn't require the players to make any decisions. This game is also sometimes called Beat Your Neighbor Out of Doors.

[elgordo38]

I'm certain the Philippines will be relieved when Singapore takes over this role from Thailand.

Singapore has billions of investment in China and have after HK the best relation with the government of China.

Here are some interesting parts from Wikipedia

The 1887 Chinese-Vietnamese Boundary convention signed between France and China after the Sino-French War said that China was the owner of the Spratly and Paracel islands.

China sent naval forces on inspection tours in 1902 and 1907 and placed flags and markers on the islands. The Qing dynasty's successor state, the Republic of China, claimed the Spratly and Paracel islands under the jurisdiction of Hainan.

In 1933, France asserted its claims to the islands^[53] to the Spratly and Paracel Islands on behalf of its then-colony Vietnam.

In November 1946, the ROC sent naval ships to take control of the islands after the surrender of Japan.^[56] It had chosen the largest and perhaps the only inhabitable island, Taiping Island, as its base, and it renamed the island under the name of the naval vessel as Taiping.

The KMT force of the ROC government withdrew from most of the Spratly and Paracel Islands after they retreated to Taiwan from the opposing Communist Party of China due to their losses in the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949.

In 1946, the Americans reminded the Philippines at its independence that the Spratlys was not Philippine territory, both to not anger Chiang Kai-shek in China and because the Spratlys were not part of the Philippines per the 1898 treaty Spain signed with America.

North Vietnam recognised China's claims on the Paracels and Spratlys during the Vietnam War as it was being supported by China. Only after winning the war and conquering South Vietnam did North Vietnam retract its recognition and admitted it recognised them as part of China to receive aid from China in fighting the Americans

Under President Lee Teng-hui, Taiwan stated that "legally, historically, geographically, or in reality", all of the South China Sea and Spratly islands were Taiwan's territory and under Taiwanese sovereignty, and denounced actions undertaken there by Malaysia and the Philippines, in a statement on 13 July 1999 released by the foreign ministry of Taiwan.^[67] Taiwan and China's claims "mirror" each other; during international talks involving the Spratly islands, China and Taiwan have cooperated with each other since both have the same claims.

In June 2011, the Philippines began officially referring to the South China Sea as the "West Philippine Sea" and the Reed Bank as "Recto Bank".^[82][83]

In July 2012, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed a law demarcating Vietnamese sea borders to include the Spratly and Paracel Islands.^[84][85]

In 2010 it was reported that former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad believed Malaysia could profit from China's economic growth through co-operation with China.^[86] In 2011, Mahathir said that China was not a threat to anyone and was not worried about aggression from China, accusing the United States of provoking China and trying to turn China's neighbours against China.^[87] Malaysia displayed no concern over China conducting a military exercise at James Shoal in March 2013.^[88]

In August 2013, Malaysia suggested that it might work with China over their South China Sea claims and ignore the other claimants, with Malaysian Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein saying that Malaysia had no problem with China patrolling the South China Sea, and telling ASEAN, America, and Japan that "Just because you have enemies, doesn't mean your enemies are my enemies."

The Spratly Islands should go back to China. I think both Malaysia and Brunei can live with it as they have not really much chances to claim it.

In 1946, the Americans reminded the Philippines at its independence that the Spratlys was not Philippine territory, both to not anger Chiang Kai-shek in China and because the Spratlys were not part of the Philippines per the 1898 treaty Spain signed with America.

I think the Philippines have no right to the Islands as well, so it keeps either Taiwan or China

Kind of reminds me of a card game we played as kids called "Beggar Your Neighbor" Beggar My Neighbor -- also known as Beggar-My-Neighbor, Beggar Your Neighbor and Beggar-Your-Neighbor -- is a children's card game which doesn't require the players to make any decisions. This game is also sometimes called Beat Your Neighbor Out of Doors.