Manila, Beijing set Spratlys conduct code<\/p>\n
MANILA (UPI): The Philippines and China announced yesterday
\nthey have set principles for a future code of conduct in the
\ndisputed Spratly Islands to avoid more tension over their
\ncompeting claims in the South China sea chain.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement issued one day after a meeting on the
\nissue, both countries vowed to maintain peace and stability by
\nnot resorting to \"force or threat of force\" to further their
\nclaims.<\/p>\n
They also agreed to settle their dispute using the principles
\nof international law, including the United Nations Convention on
\nthe Law of the Sea, particularly to maintain freedom of
\nnavigation in what is a major shipping route.<\/p>\n
\"The two sides recognize that the continued prosperity of
\ntheir economies depends upon the peace and stability of the
\nregion,\" the statement said. \"They reaffirm their commitment to
\nregional peace, stability and cooperation.\"<\/p>\n
While their dispute remains unresolved, Manila and Beijing
\nagreed on bilateral, \"and eventually multilateral\" projects in
\nthe Spratlys such as protection of natural resources, safety of
\nnavigation, prevention of piracy and fisheries cooperation.<\/p>\n
\"In the spirit of expanding common ground and narrowing
\ndifferences, a gradual and progressive process of cooperation
\nshall be adopted with a view to eventually negotiating a
\nsettlement of the bilateral disputes,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
Notably absent in the areas of cooperation is a possible
\nmultilateral exploration of what is believed to be the Spratly's
\nrich reserves of oil and natural gas.<\/p>\n
China remains averse to the idea, maintaining it would only
\nconduct exploration on a bilateral basis. Although it has
\nconducted explorations of its own, China has protested similar
\nmoves by Vietnam and the Philippines.<\/p>\n
China, Vietnam and Taiwan claim all of the Spratlys, while the
\nPhilippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of it.<\/p>\n
Philippine officials said China's concurrence with the Unclos
\nprovisions was a major step in easing tension over the issue.
\nChina previously insisted that negotiations over the Spratlys
\nshould be based solely on its historical claims.<\/p>\n
The Unclos, implemented in 1994, gives each ratifying state a
\n200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone around its land border. Manila
\nhas invoked the Unclos in protesting China's occupation of a reef
\nearly this year in an area of the Spratlys that lies about 155
\nmiles off its western coast.<\/p>\n
The occupation sparked a row between the two countries.
\nOfficials said the issues was \"discussed frankly\" during the two-
\nday meeting but was not resolved.<\/p>",
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