Accidental Escalation from Frequent Military and Maritime Law-enforcement Encounters in South China Sea and Adequacy of ASEAN Incident Management Mechanisms
Ministry of Foreign AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the assessment of risks regarding accidental escalation from frequent maritime encounters in the South China Sea (SCS) and the adequacy of ASEAN incident management mechanisms, raised by Mr Gabriel Lam. Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan acknowledged that recent developments have heightened the risks of accidents and miscalculations, emphasizing Singapore's non-claimant position and call for all parties to exercise self-restraint. He reiterated Singapore’s support for regional peace, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. He noted that ASEAN and China are negotiating a Code of Conduct (COC) in the SCS through monthly meetings, aiming to conclude negotiations this year to help de-escalate tensions on the ground. Singapore continues to participate actively in these discussions to work towards an effective, substantive COC that safeguards the rights and interests of all parties.
Transcript
23 Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what assessment has the Ministry made of the risk of accidental escalation in the South China Sea arising from increasingly frequent encounters between military and maritime law-enforcement vessels; and (b) whether ASEAN mechanisms are adequate to manage such incidents.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: As a small, trade-dependent nation, Singapore's national interests include maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS), upholding the right of all states to freedom of navigation and overflight, and supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As a non-claimant state, Singapore does not take sides on the competing territorial and maritime claims in the SCS.
Recent developments have increased the risks of accidents and miscalculations in the SCS. To preserve regional peace and stability, we have consistently called on all parties to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the SCS. All parties should manage disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China are negotiating the Code of Conduct (COC) in the SCS, and have committed to endeavour to conclude the COC negotiations by this year. ASEAN and China have convened monthly meetings since the start of this year. The negotiations are an important platform for ASEAN and China to put forth their positions and better understand each other, with a view to eventually de-escalating tensions on the ground. Singapore has participated actively in the discussions and will continue to work with China and other ASEAN member states towards an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and that safeguards the rights and interests of all parties in the SCS.