The East Sea once again took the theme of an int'l workshop that was held at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra where experts looked into a number of issues regarding this important sea.
Chinese vessels conduct reclamation on Vanh Khan (Mischief) Reef of Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago (Photo: Reuters/US Navy)
Canberra (VNA) – The East Sea once again took the theme of an international workshop that was held at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra whe﷽re experts looked into a number of issues regarding this important sea.
The three-day event, from September 28-30, attracted about 70 experts from Australia, China, Japan, the US, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. It was organised by the Australian academy, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, and the Japan Institute of International Affairs.
Experts discussed prospects of strategies and geo-economics in the India-Pacific region amidst the growing East Sea tensions, economic and security difficulties related to the East Sea issue that face Southeast Asia, the US-China relations with regard to the East Sea issue, international law and The Hague tribunal’s ruling, challenges and measures to minimise conflicts or solve disputes.
Some participants pointed out the challenges and dilemma that the East Sea disputes have caused for the parties concerned such as in terms of territory, the right to access to natural resources, environmental degradation, and challenges to trade, assistance and investment. They also expressed their viewpoints on ASEAN’s role and contribution in the issue settlement.
Regarding The Hague tribunal’s ruling on the Philippines’ lawsuit against China’s unfounded territorial claims, the workshop also discussed strong points and weaknesses of international law in terms of the East Sea issue.
Experts also mulled over policies and approaches that claimant parties can apply, the role and unity of ASEAN, and how world powers like India, the US and Japan can help to ease tensions and maintain peace and stability in this region.
At the workshop, Professor Carlyle A. Thayer at the Australian Defence Force Academy delivered a speech on the East Sea situation following The Hague tribunal’s verdict and reactions of the relevant parties and ASEAN. He emphasised the role and things ASEAN could do to help reduce tensions in the East Sea.
He told the Vietnam News Agency that irrespective of China’s reactions to the ruling, other maritime powers like the US, Japan, Australia, the UK, France, and the EU recognised that verdict as part of international law.-VNA
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Members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) called for the settlement of all sovereign and territorial disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means without using or threatening to use violence.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
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Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
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The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
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Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
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Chinese vessels conduct reclamation on Vanh Khan (Mischief) Reef of Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago (Photo: Reuters/US Navy)
