ASEAN, China agree to maintain harmony in the South China Sea

Jan 14, 2007, 5:05 GMT

Cebu, Philippines - The 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China agreed on Sunday to intensify cooperation in maintaining a harmonious environment in disputed areas in the South China Sea.

In a meeting in the central Philippine province of Cebu, leaders agreed to resume the meetings of the ASEAN-China joint working group on the implementation of a 2002 declaration that underscored the need to keep peace and stability in the South China Sea.

'Benefits would be more equitably shared if we are to pursue South China Sea-related, ASEAN-China projects under the single umbrella of Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,' Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said at the end of the meeting.

Under the 2002 declaration, the parties were obliged to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes in the area.

The South China Sea is a potential flashpoint in the region, with China and such ASEAN members as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, laying overlapping claims to the Spratlys group of islands in the area.

The Spratlys straddle key shipping lanes in the South China Sea and are believed to be rich in oil, marine and mineral resources.

The resumption of the meetings of the ASEAN-China joint working group on South China Sea was scheduled in the first quarter of 2007, but no specific date was set.

ASEAN and China also signed a trade in services agreement in a bid to deepen economic linkages, minimize trade barriers and increase intra-regional trade and investment.

ASEAN leaders and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also signed an agreement on the establishment of an ASEAN-China Center on Promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism. ASEAN welcomed China's commitment to increase investments in South-East Asia.