ASEAN urges early accord on SCS code, end to Myanmar violence

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Last Updated15/10/2024

Southeast Asian leaders called for swift agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea based on international law, while demanding an immediate halt to fighting in Myanmar and inclusive peace talks to end its civil war.

On October 13, 2024, Southeast Asian leaders called for a swift resolution of two critical regional issues: the creation of a code of conduct for the South China Sea and an end to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
These were the major outcomes from meetings held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), attended by diplomats from the U.S., China, Russia, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Tensions have escalated in the South China Sea, with China claiming sovereignty over nearly all of the waterway. This has led to confrontations with ASEAN members like the Philippines and Vietnam.
The disputed sea holds strategic importance, as $3 trillion worth of trade passes through annually. Recent confrontations have increased concerns that the U.S., which has defense obligations with the Philippines, could be drawn into the conflict.

The ASEAN chairman's statement called for the early conclusion of a code of conduct (CoC), agreed upon in principle in 2002 but whose formal negotiations only began in 2017.
ASEAN emphasized that the CoC should be based on international law, including the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This reference has been a point of contention, with China and Russia objecting to it during the meetings.
The bloc also urged for confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of accidents, misunderstandings, and escalations in the contested waters, citing “positive momentum” in the ongoing talks.

The war in Myanmar, a member of ASEAN, remains a pressing concern. Following the 2021 military coup, the conflict between Myanmar’s military government and an expanding armed resistance has devastated the country.
ASEAN’s statement called for an “immediate cessation of violence” and the creation of an environment conducive to delivering humanitarian assistance. The bloc emphasized the importance of inclusive national dialogue, led and owned by Myanmar.

The civil war has triggered a humanitarian disaster, with 18.6 million people—over a third of Myanmar’s population—requiring humanitarian aid. ASEAN has made little headway on its five-point peace plan, introduced after the coup.

ASEAN welcomed Thailand's initiative to host informal peace talks on Myanmar, possibly involving other ASEAN members later this year. This effort is seen as a potential step toward resolving the ongoing conflict and providing much-needed humanitarian relief.