The South China Sea disputes dominated the 9th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday with Japan and the United States calling on claimants, including China, to step back from any action that could undermine regional stability.
The two allies made the call as a normally resolute China expressed a softer stance on the contentious issue, vowing to jointly work with Asean to ensure regional maritime security. It also proposed joint development of the disputed sea.
At the summit hosted by Myanmar and joined by 18 leaders of the EAS framework, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who just recently held talks with Chinese leaders amid frosty relations, urged China and other countries involved in the South China Sea disputes to refrain from any action that could undermine regional stability.
Mr Abe also called on Asean and China to speed up consultations toward an early conclusion of a legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) aimed at reducing territorial and maritime conflicts in the South China Sea.
US President Barack Obama also called on parties concerned to respect international law in addressing the issue.
He urged the claimants − Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam − to lower tensions, ensure maximum self-restraint and address disputes based on international law, the Kyodo News Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told EAS leaders that China has sought settlement of the disputes and proposed that the claimant countries explore joint development to manage their differences even though disputes are sometimes unavoidable.
"I believe that as long as we treat each other with sincerity and seek common ground while reserving differences, there would be no insurmountable obstacles that will stand in our way," Mr Li said.
The Chinese premier also assured that the situation in the South China Sea is stable while conflict can be resolved through negotiation and consultation by "countries directly concerned".
Mr Li also called on Asean to work with China to achieve the goal of ending the disputes.
Meanwhile, the Asean claimant countries maintained their stances over their territorial claims, especially the Philippines and Vietnam, who said they are still worried about a situation they saw as "ongoing" in the South China Sea.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was quoted by the media as saying that Hanoi remains concerned about the situation in the South China Sea.
The Asean members also reiterated their push for an early conclusion of a legally binding Code of Conduct to reduce territorial conflicts.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also shared his views on the South China Sea disputes by urging the parties concerned to build trust and resolve their conflicts by peaceful means as the South China Sea is important to the region in terms of security and prosperity, according to government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp.
Dr Yongyuth said yesterday that Gen Prayut raised the issue during the EAS meeting since Thailand is the current coordinator country on Asean-China relations.
"He expressed an appreciation that all parties concerned intend to solve the dispute and were trying to find common ground that will lead to drafting the CoC," Dr Yongyuth said, adding that contact at all levels can help Asean and China in easing tensions.
Thailand has a role to play in the South China Sea conflicts as it has been country coordinator for Asean and China dialogue since July 2012 and will complete its term next year. However, little progress has been made, except on formal consultations on the CoC, established in 2013 as a mechanism to resolve the maritime row.
Besides the South China Sea, the EAS leaders also addressed a number of other challenges at the meeting, including the extremist Islamic State movement. The leaders vowed to oppose the radical group fighting in Iraq and Syria.
The Ebola outbreak was also on the agenda with the leaders pledging to strengthen efforts to tackle the deadly outbreak.
Gen Prayut, proposed that Thailand host a ministerial meeting on the Ebola crisis under the Asean Plus Three framework for a regional response and to discuss other health issues. The meeting, which is expected to be held in December, will be attended by the 10 Asean health ministers and three East Asian dialogue partners — China, Japan and South Korea.
Gen Prayut also said the EAS should increase its efforts in resolving other problems, including human trafficking.