The 12th East Sea International Workshop under the theme “Maintaining peace and cooperation through a time of turbulence" opened on November 16 in virtual format. 

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the 12th international
workshop on the East Sea, Ha Noi, November 16, 2020.

The event was jointly held by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV), Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS), and Viet Nam Lawyers’ Association (VLA) with the participation over 700 delegates, including 60 prestigious speakers from 30 foreign countries and territories, foreign scholars, academics, and diplomats.

Addressing the event, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous disturbances internationally, unveiled smouldering contradictions, eroded trust between nations, and affected peace and stability. 

In that context, the East Sea represents a test for a series of important issues in international relations such as the maintenance of dialogues among countries in favor of common benefits, behaviors of big countries, protection of international law and standards, role of multilateral mechanisms in tension management, building of confidence, as well as conflict resolution. 

Son called upon relevant sides to uphold dialogue spirit, promote mutual cooperation and development, seek peaceful solutions to differences and disputes in the East Sea on the basis of international laws.  

It is essential to proactively prevent the risk of unwanted clashes at sea, promote cooperation for economic recovery and mutual development, work together to protect natural resources, and seek the peaceful settlement of overlapping claims in the East Sea in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Son suggested that countries continue promoting the central role of ASEAN in the regional security structure, supporting the ASEAN Vision on the Indo-Pacific Region, and creating favourable conditions for ASEAN and China to soon finish negotiations over a Code of Conduction in the East Sea (COC).