‘Nations should adopt Unclos’

JAKARTA: The position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) when it comes to addressing the South China Sea conflict is “crystal clear” — all nations should adopt and implement the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsuri stressed this on Tuesday when asked about the tension in the South China Sea, including the recent “collision” of Chinese and Philippine vessels. 

“We are now negotiating the Code of Conduct [in the South China Sea, especially among claimant countries],” Marsudi told participants at the 7th Asean Media Forum.

“Hopefully, we will be able to finalize it soon, but not a fast, quick negotiation but also a substantial negotiation,” the foreign minister said.

She said that Asean leaders hope that when they “finalize the negotiation, the situation on the South China Sea will be more conducive.”

“I think the position of Asean is very crystal clear — that Unclos 1982 should be prioritized when it comes to the South China Sea,” Marsudi said.

“And the position of Indonesia is crystal clear: that everyone, every country should adopt and implement Unclos 1982,” she added.

Marsudi said it is “not easy to talk” with Beijing, “but China understands that the concept of Asean Outloook on the Indo-Pacific is not a containment concept, but it is an inclusivity concept.”