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Defense officials from 27 members shared their concerns and stressed the importance of regional security, particularly maritime security on the East Sea, besides enhancing maritime security in Asia’s waterways.

The ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC) said that disputes in the East Sea need to be solved peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and regional treaties.

Countries supported ASEAN and China to effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards the Code of Conduct (COC) to ensure security, maritime freedom, natural resource exploitation and economic development in accordance with international law.

Not only expressing concern over recent developments in the East Sea, delegations want parties to refrain and respect international community’s opinions to peacefully settle disputes based on international law.

Parties noted the geopolitical significance of the East Sea and the potential petroleum reserves of the vast marine resources.

Regarding nuclear energy safety, the conference agreed on the importance of the issue and encouraged nations to participate in international nuclear treaties and mechanisms, complete their domestic legal frameworks, and increase international cooperation on the issue.

The ASPC is part of annual defense activities within the ARF, which is held on a rotary basis. ARF consists of 27 members, including the 10 ASEAN member countries, plus dialogue partners – the US, Japan, China, Russia, India, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the European Union, and Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Timor Leste

Source: Tuoitre News