The recent escalating tension in the East Sea could negativelyaffect the preservation and development of maritime resources whilethreatening security on international routes in the area, expertswarned.
They voiced the warning at the sixthInternational Conference on the East Sea that opened on November 17in the central city of Da Nang.
The conferencebrought together academics and specialists from Vietnam, Southeast Asiancountries, the US, China, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea,Australia, India, the UK, France, Italy and Belgium.
The experts pointed to a paradox that while the regional community hasworked hard to avoid disputes, some countries are creating low-leveltensions which they thought they can take control since no directconfrontation yet occurred.
The experts called it avery dangerous sign when a code of conduct or a legally-binding accordto manage clashes and disputes in the East Sea remains absent.
They noted that China’s attempt to expand its reinforcementactivities on rock reefs in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago could likelypose a threat of dispute to the East Sea.
They agreed that one of the major factors affecting the recent EastSea situation is differing explanation and application ofinternational law in the sea.
They shared the viewthat the increased number and intensity of operations of armed andsemi-armed forces in the East Sea led to recent tensions in thearea.
According to former Vice Admiral AnupSingh, former Flag Office Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern NavalCommand of India, the right to access natural resources has always beenthe main reason behind disputes.
The East Sea is one of the richest seas in the world in terms of fossil fuel reserves and seafood sources, he noted.
He stressed the East Sea route’s irreplaceable role in the trafficof goods to East Asia, Southeast Asia and the rest of the world sincenearly a half of the globe’s trading activities depend on peace in thearea.
The world community should raise their voiceand support littoral countries in the East Sea by calling forsafeguarding maritime freedom and conserving sea space as a commonheritage of mankind, the Indian speaker added.
Former Rear Admiral Akimoto Kazumine, a senior researcher from theJapan ’s Ocean Policy Research Foundation, stressed since the EastSea is a lifeline route for regional countries, stability in the areais needed to ensure maritime safety.
Theparticipants highlighted the reasons that encourage parties concerned tofoster cooperation in the East Sea , including the demand fornatural resources to serve their national development, and thepreservation of maritime security, safety and freedom on internationalshipping routes.
They spoke highly of efforts to setup a hotline for parties involved in the East Sea, proposing thebuilding of regulations on the operation of the communication tool andthe handling of information exchanged.
Themed “EastSea: Cooperation for Regional Security and Development,” the two-dayconference is the continuance of efforts to exchange opinions and seekexperts’ ideas for the East Sea issue.
Duringthe event, the participants will also discuss international law indealing with disputes, as well as measures to build trust and preventmaritime disputes.-VNA
They voiced the warning at the sixthInternational Conference on the East Sea that opened on November 17in the central city of Da Nang.
The conferencebrought together academics and specialists from Vietnam, Southeast Asiancountries, the US, China, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea,Australia, India, the UK, France, Italy and Belgium.
The experts pointed to a paradox that while the regional community hasworked hard to avoid disputes, some countries are creating low-leveltensions which they thought they can take control since no directconfrontation yet occurred.
The experts called it avery dangerous sign when a code of conduct or a legally-binding accordto manage clashes and disputes in the East Sea remains absent.
They noted that China’s attempt to expand its reinforcementactivities on rock reefs in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago could likelypose a threat of dispute to the East Sea.
They agreed that one of the major factors affecting the recent EastSea situation is differing explanation and application ofinternational law in the sea.
They shared the viewthat the increased number and intensity of operations of armed andsemi-armed forces in the East Sea led to recent tensions in thearea.
According to former Vice Admiral AnupSingh, former Flag Office Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern NavalCommand of India, the right to access natural resources has always beenthe main reason behind disputes.
The East Sea is one of the richest seas in the world in terms of fossil fuel reserves and seafood sources, he noted.
He stressed the East Sea route’s irreplaceable role in the trafficof goods to East Asia, Southeast Asia and the rest of the world sincenearly a half of the globe’s trading activities depend on peace in thearea.
The world community should raise their voiceand support littoral countries in the East Sea by calling forsafeguarding maritime freedom and conserving sea space as a commonheritage of mankind, the Indian speaker added.
Former Rear Admiral Akimoto Kazumine, a senior researcher from theJapan ’s Ocean Policy Research Foundation, stressed since the EastSea is a lifeline route for regional countries, stability in the areais needed to ensure maritime safety.
Theparticipants highlighted the reasons that encourage parties concerned tofoster cooperation in the East Sea , including the demand fornatural resources to serve their national development, and thepreservation of maritime security, safety and freedom on internationalshipping routes.
They spoke highly of efforts to setup a hotline for parties involved in the East Sea, proposing thebuilding of regulations on the operation of the communication tool andthe handling of information exchanged.
Themed “EastSea: Cooperation for Regional Security and Development,” the two-dayconference is the continuance of efforts to exchange opinions and seekexperts’ ideas for the East Sea issue.
Duringthe event, the participants will also discuss international law indealing with disputes, as well as measures to build trust and preventmaritime disputes.-VNA
