DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-874-05                                                                                                                                                                                                                             09 December  2005

ROMULO LEADS DISCUSSIONS ON GREATER COOPERATION FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA PEACE AND STABILITY

 
9 December 2005, Kuala Lumpur - Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo led discussions today on the crucial issue of promoting peace and security in the South China Sea during the ministerial meeting between ASEAN and China and called for the transformation of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea into a legally-binding code of conduct.
 
“Faced with an issue that held the potential to ignite misunderstanding and conflict, ASEAN and China decided to walk the path of peace and cooperation,” the Secretary said.
 
Secretary Romulo told the ASEAN and Chinese foreign ministers that ”The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties was a landmark political document that captured the commitment of ASEAN and China to transform what has traditionally been thought of as “dangerous grounds” into a forum for cooperation.”  He added that “This Declaration is a powerful symbol of our collective capacity to face even the toughest of challenges.”
 
“While we have prevented conflict and built cooperation in the South China Sea, much remains to be done and we must sustain our efforts,” the Secretary said, adding that the Declaration is only an intermediate step towards the establishment of a regional code of conduct for the parties with interests in the South China Sea.  He then called on ASEAN and China to transform the Declaration into a legally-binding instrument.
 
“The Philippines continues to maintain its hopes that with the Declaration as a key building block, we will soon be working towards a legally binding code of conduct on the South China Sea,” the Secretary said. “I urge all of us here to continue moving forward, guided by the realization that the success of our collective actions on the issue of the South China Sea are among the most important and durable contributions we can make to ensure the continued peace and stability of our region,” Secretary Romulo added.
 
In 1987, Chinese Leader Deng Xiao Ping had called for the transformation of the South China Sea from sea of conflict to an area of cooperation. The Philippines has also led efforts to prevent conflict and build greater stability and confidence in the South China Sea.  A major breakthrough came in the form of the 1992 Manila Declaration on the South China Sea. END
 
 
/jay