Seminar to boost regional security

Scholars and experts are gathering at an international symposium in HCM City to discuss recent developments in the East Sea and co-operation of all concerned parties for regional security and development.

Associate Prof Dr Duong Van Quang, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, told the two-day workshop that he was confident headway would be made in widening the network of international scholars and experts on the East Sea, promoting studies and exchange of research findings on the issue.

He also expected that it would come up with sound recommendations on national policies as well as conflict prevention and settlement regimes for the region.

The symposium will assess the current situation in the East Sea from an interdisciplinary perspective and discuss measures to maintain peace and stability in the area.

"The East Sea is a point of contention with several bilateral and multilateral territorial disputes that can be resolved only through dialogue and direct negotiations among the involved parties without the use or threat of use of force under any circumstances," Quang said.

"One of the most important legal bases for the resolution of these disputes is the United Nations\' Convention on the Law of the Sea issued in 1982," he asserted.

Quang said the delegates at the workshop would discuss in depth the importance of the East Sea in the context of the changing strategic environment, recent developments in the area and their implications for regional security.

He also asked the delegates to discuss international legal issues involved in the disputes in the East Sea and means to promote the regional co-operation.

"The East Sea is a semi-closed sea that is the world\'s second busiest in terms of shipments. Any disruption related to navigation through this area can lead to severe economic and political turbulence in the region and the world.

"Therefore, all users of the East Sea, both within and beyond the region, should be responsible for maintaining navigation safety, maritime security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea," Quang said. The East Sea also provided the livelihood for many coastal communities and played an important part in the economic development of ASEAN member countries and China, he noted.

Although the East Sea was mostly peaceful and stable, there were some sovereignty and territorial disputes, as well as clashes over maritime safety and security last year, not to mention the exploitation of maritime resources, Quang said.

Participating in the workshop are distinguished international scholars from ASEAN countries, Australia, Canada, mainland China, Chinese Taipei, India, Japan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Sweden, the UK, and the US.

The first international symposium on the same topic was held in Hanoi last year.