THE alleged hit-and-run incident involving a Chinese militia vessel and a Filipino fishing boat in Recto Bank may be raised, but only “in general terms” during the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Thailand to be attended by President Duterte on June 22 and 23. A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official pointed this out on the eve of the meeting in Thailand, even as she pointed to the urgency of finalizing a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West told reporters that, while recent developments in the South China Sea may be discussed by the Southeast Asian leaders, “traditionally the summit is not the venue” where issues like that will be discussed.
Sought to clarify, Mahilum-West said she meant a call for self-restraint and for desisting from taking any action that could cause tension in the region.
“There are other forums where we are dealing with this issue right now,” she said.
Nonetheless, she also said during the predeparture briefing that the recent incidents, like what happened to the fishermen, “emphasize the importance of having a Code of Conduct so that we could avoid, we could prevent these incidents from happening in the future.”
Incidentally, the Philippines is the coordinator of the Asean-China dialogue partnership from 2018 to 2021 wherein Asean member-states, and China are working on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea.
Prior to the summit, the joint-working group between the Asean member-states and China have been negotiating on a Single Draft Negotiating Text, she said.
Asean leaders expect to finish the first reading of the document by the end of the year.
With the theme “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability,” this year’s Asean summit will be chaired by Thailand, headed by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. All 10 heads of state of Asean members have committed to attend.
The summit will also be a call for Asean to be more effective in responding to the changing global and regional architecture, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as well as to be more integrated through enhanced connectivity in the region and to be focused on sustainable development.
Several important events are lined up for the summit, including Summit Plenary, Gala Dinner for the leaders, the Leaders’ Retreat and the 13th BIMP-Eaga Summit.
Mahilum-West said there will be 16 outcome documents during the summit. Four of these will be adopted by the leaders: the Asean leaders’ vision on partnership for sustainability, Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the Asean region, Asean leaders’ statement on the Asean Cultural Year for 2019 and on the Asean Indo-Pacific outlook.
RCEP gaining currency
As for the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Mahilum-West said they are still expecting the proposed free-trade deal to be concluded by this year.
“Yes, the RCEP is gaining importance because of the trade friction between China and the US and we hope that RCEP would be concluded by this year. We hesitate now to say that we conclude it by the summit, you know a definite deadline, because when we don’t meet the deadline, then you know our credibility is a little bit questioned. So by this year, we hope that RCEP would be concluded,” she said.
The DFA official also said at least two bilateral meetings are being arranged for President Duterte, which will likely include a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. This will be the President’s third visit to Thailand since assuming office in 2016. His previous visits were in November 2016 and in March 2017. The President will leave Thailand on June 24.