Manila, Beijing set Spratlys conduct code

Manila, Beijing set Spratlys conduct code

MANILA (UPI): The Philippines and China announced yesterday they have set principles for a future code of conduct in the disputed Spratly Islands to avoid more tension over their competing claims in the South China sea chain.

In a joint statement issued one day after a meeting on the issue, both countries vowed to maintain peace and stability by not resorting to "force or threat of force" to further their claims.

They also agreed to settle their dispute using the principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, particularly to maintain freedom of navigation in what is a major shipping route.

"The two sides recognize that the continued prosperity of their economies depends upon the peace and stability of the region," the statement said. "They reaffirm their commitment to regional peace, stability and cooperation."

While their dispute remains unresolved, Manila and Beijing agreed on bilateral, "and eventually multilateral" projects in the Spratlys such as protection of natural resources, safety of navigation, prevention of piracy and fisheries cooperation.

"In the spirit of expanding common ground and narrowing differences, a gradual and progressive process of cooperation shall be adopted with a view to eventually negotiating a settlement of the bilateral disputes," the statement said.

Notably absent in the areas of cooperation is a possible multilateral exploration of what is believed to be the Spratly's rich reserves of oil and natural gas.

China remains averse to the idea, maintaining it would only conduct exploration on a bilateral basis. Although it has conducted explorations of its own, China has protested similar moves by Vietnam and the Philippines.

China, Vietnam and Taiwan claim all of the Spratlys, while the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of it.

Philippine officials said China's concurrence with the Unclos provisions was a major step in easing tension over the issue. China previously insisted that negotiations over the Spratlys should be based solely on its historical claims.

The Unclos, implemented in 1994, gives each ratifying state a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone around its land border. Manila has invoked the Unclos in protesting China's occupation of a reef early this year in an area of the Spratlys that lies about 155 miles off its western coast.

The occupation sparked a row between the two countries. Officials said the issues was "discussed frankly" during the two- day meeting but was not resolved.