Timor-Leste President Proposes South China Sea as 'Peace Zone'

Bangkok (ANTARA) - Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has proposed designating the South China Sea as a ‘peace zone’ amid territorial disputes between China and several Southeast Asian nations.

‘Alongside the ongoing negotiations for a code of conduct, there must be the courage to declare the South China Sea a peace zone,’ Ramos-Horta said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on Saturday (30 May).

‘It does not mean all parties must relinquish their legitimate historical and legal claims, but these claims should not hinder confidence-building initiatives and de-escalate tensions,’ he added.

Ramos-Horta admitted he was prepared to use ‘words used by dreamers’ to present what he called naive and romantic ideas.

He also warned against repeating the situation in the Strait of Hormuz elsewhere.

‘Let the events in the Strait of Hormuz serve as a warning to us, reminding us not to be complacent in addressing potential flashpoints that could escalate into conflict,’ he said.

According to Ramos-Horta, all parties must agree on a ‘peace zone’ free from artificial islands and military bases.

He suggested repurposing existing artificial islands and military facilities into oceanographic research centres and other scientific facilities.

‘We know well various alternatives for such cooperation. When we can find more funds for preparing for war, we struggle to find money to prevent conditions that could spark conflict,’ Ramos-Horta stated.

China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia have claims over parts of the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, ASEAN and China are nearing a final agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea after more than two decades of negotiations.