The first day of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings on November 12, sent out a clear message that the contentious issue of the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam, should be settled in accordance with international law. 

Chinese Premier LI Keqiang addresses the ASEAN plus China summit on November 12.

The most significant development of the opening day came when ASEAN members and partners made their strong commitment towards building a South China Sea that enjoys both peace and prosperity while achieving an open and free Indo-Pacific region.

During his opening speech, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reiterated ASEAN’s consistent stance and staunch commitment to developing the South China Sea, an area that is a vital regional and global maritime route, into a sea of peace, stability, security, and safety for the free movement of goods.

PM Phuc went on to stress that the South China Sea is a region where all differences and disputes should be resolved through peaceful means, with the law being fully respected and observed, along with shared values being confirmed.

The Vietnamese leader also signaled his appreciation for the significance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which he said serves as a framework for all activities at sea. He expressed his hope that an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) will soon be completed in line with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.

Hailing Phuc’s view, relevant parties voiced their support for ASEAN’s firm stance on upholding the rule of law, strengthening dialogue, and building trust, along self-refraining and taking no action to further complicate the situation. This fits in with the bloc’s pledge to peacefully resolve disputes and differences on the basis of international law and the UNCLOS 1982.

Alongside the South China Sea issue, ASEAN leaders and partners also attached great importance to developing a free and open Indo-Pacific area, considering this to be key to promoting peace and prosperity in the region.

At the ASEAN-Japan Summit, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide affirmed that Japan, a close ally of ASEAN, will remain side by side with the bloc as part of efforts to create an open and free Indo-Pacific region.

The Japanese PM emphasised that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as adopted by ASEAN leaders in 2019, is an example of the region’s strong voice in promoting the rule of law, openness, transparency, and integrity, all of which are ASEAN’s principles of action. As a result, Japanese PM Suga vowed to support this vision.