China objects to PH, Indonesia APPF resolutions on maritime disputes

China objected to the resolutions sponsored by the Philippines and Indonesia on maritime security and settling of disputes using international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), at the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

According to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who chaired the 31st APPF working group on political and security matters, China's objections resulted in the rejection of the resolutions.

Based on APPF rules, resolutions were only adopted through a consensus. Once any member-state opposes it, a resolution was considered rejected. 

“Nag-oppose 'yung China… Halos lahat ng paragraph meron silang reservations,” Dela Rosa said when asked about the draft resolutions by Indonesia and the Philippines.

“We have to follow the rules, but anyway meron pa tayong (we still have a) working group. Kung mahilot yan… kung maayos 'yun baka pwede pang lumusot kung mag-agree ‘yung oppositor,” he added.

(We have to follow the rules. But we still have another working group meeting. If the oppositor agrees to the revised draft resolution, then it still has a chance to be adopted.)

According to Dela Rosa, China opposed the provisions which urged the adherence to international law, such as the UNCLOS.

“We are espousing for the adherence to international law through the international bodies, 'di ba (right)? Sila naman, ang gusto nila is to go back to the traditional ways of settling disputes. That is amicable settlement, talking bilaterally na walang pakialam yung mga ibang bodies like the UN,” he said.

“Gusto nila ‘yung traditional way, which is usapan between us,” he added.

(They want to go back to the traditional ways of settling disputes. That is amicable settlement or talking bilaterally without the interference of other international bodies like the United Nations. They want the traditional way, which is through bilateral talks.)

In the Philippine-sponsored draft resolution on strengthening capacity of parliaments to promote regional peace and stability, the country urged the member-parliaments to “support continued adherence to and promotion of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, which, among others, encourages states to make full use of the provisions and procedures provided in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations, and affirms that recourse to judicial settlement of disputes should not be considered an unfriendly act between states.”

It likewise urged the member-parliaments to “support relevant states as they earnestly work toward early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC that is consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s draft resolution on enhancing maritime security cooperation in Asia-Pacific emphasized the need of all APPF Member Parliaments to encourage unwavering commitment from all Asia-Pacific countries to international laws, including adherence UNCLOS, as well as commitment to expedite negotiations for the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) with the goal of achieving a stable, safe, and prosperous region.

Indonesia also called on the APPF member-parliaments to continue promoting cooperation and constructive dialogue on maritime issues of common interests and shared concerns, ranging from traditional to non-traditional issues in the Southeast Asia region in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and other relevant international maritime instruments and conventions. — DVM, GMA Integrated News