THE heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) did not raise the Hague-based arbitration ruling on the South China Sea row but emphasized strong stance against reclamation and militarization activities within the contested waters.
The revised Asean message by this year's chair President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed his decision not to discuss the arbitral ruling among fellow Asean leaders.
Duterte merely reaffirmed the Southeast Asian leaders' shared commitment to utilizing "peaceful resolution" on maritime dispute, which includes "full respect for legal and diplomatic processes," a phrase that could be interpreted as an indirect reference to Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling in July 2016.
The international court has ruled in favor pf the Philippines as it invalidated China's "historic rights" to the disputed South China Sea.
Duterte's message before Asean member-states also included the supposed "improvement of bilateral relations" between Asean and China.
He said that the two parties are looking forward to finish the crafting of a legally bind code of conduct (COC) framework on the South China Sea in the middle of the year.
"We welcomed the progress to complete a framework of the code of conduct in the South China Sea by middle of this year, in order to facilitate the early adoption of the COC," the President said
"We recognized the long-term benefits that would be gained from having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and sustainable development," he added.
Prior to the Asean leaders' summit, Duterte said he would not bring up the arbitral ruling, stressing that it is a "non-issue" among the regional bloc's leaders.
He also emphasized that the decision on the sea row is a matter that should only be discussed "between the Philippines and China."
But while Duterte has sought soft-landing approach on territorial dispute with China, the issues of reclamation and militarization have been tackled during the summit.
Asean leaders have expressed their "serious concerns" over "reclamation and militarization that may complicate the situation" on the South China Sea.
The Chinese government, who refused to acknowledge the ruling, has reportedly continued to conduct reclamation and militarization activities within the contested waters.
"We took note of the serious concerns expressed by some leaders over recent developments and escalation of activities in the area, which may further raise tension and erode trust and confidence in the region," Duterte said.
"We reaffirmed the importance of enhancing mutual trust and confidence, exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities, avoiding actions, such as land reclamation and militarization, that may further complicate the situation, and pursuing the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principle of international law, including the 1983 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."
The "land reclamation and militarization" terms were also included in last year's Asean message in Laos.
The Asean's position was issued to inform China on its opposition to reclaiming islands and performing militarization in the disputed waters.
Duterte said Southeast Asian heads sought to maintain "peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight over the South China Sea."
The Asean statement, which was obtained by reporters, was revised at 1:30 p.m. The government is yet to release a final copy of Duterte's message for the Asean summit. (SunStar Philippines)