PBBM, idinetalye ang harassment at pananakot ng China sa Pilipinas sa harap ni... | 24 Oras

Summary

In a recent summit, President Marcos of the Philippines addressed the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, urging ASEAN leaders to expedite the creation of a code of conduct to maintain peace. He highlighted China's aggressive actions against the Philippines, including harassment of maritime vessels, stressing the need for collective international action. Despite the economic significance of China for ASEAN nations, he called for a clear distinction between economic cooperation and political security. The complexities of negotiations over the code of conduct remain, with fundamental issues like the definition of self-restraint yet to be resolved.

Takeaways

• 🌊 President Marcos highlighted ongoing harassment and intimidation from China in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the need for action.
• 📜 He called for the urgent establishment of an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct to maintain peace in the South China Sea.
• 🔄 Discussions about the Code of Conduct have been ongoing since 1992, yet critical issues remain unresolved.
• 🤝 Marcos emphasized the importance of ASEAN's role in ensuring maritime security and territorial integrity among its members.
• 🌐 The President acknowledged international support from countries like Canada and Australia for the Philippines' position on the South China Sea dispute.
• 🚫 China continues to assert its claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, viewing its actions as defensive.
• 🔍 Marcos characterized the aggressive actions in the East and South China Seas as transnational problems affecting regional peace.
• ⚖️ Disagreements among ASEAN member countries about basic definitions and the scope of the Code of Conduct hinder negotiations.
• 🚨 The overall situation in the South China Sea remains tense, requiring all parties to engage seriously in resolving disputes.
• 📣 Marcos urged fellow leaders to avoid turning a blind eye to illegal and dangerous actions by China in the region.

Q & A

What was the main focus of President Marcos's speech at the ASEAN summit?

President Marcos focused on addressing China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea and called for ASEAN unity in responding to these threats.

What specific aggressive actions by China did President Marcos mention?

He mentioned incidents such as harassment of Philippine vessels, water cannon attacks, laser targeting, and collisions involving Chinese ships.

Why is the establishment of a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea important according to President Marcos?

The Code of Conduct is important for maintaining peace and stability in the region and for managing tensions between ASEAN countries and China.

What challenges did President Marcos highlight regarding the negotiations for the Code of Conduct?

He noted challenges such as unresolved definitions of terms like 'self-restraint' and whether the Code should be legally binding, which have stalled progress since discussions began in 1992.

How did other ASEAN leaders respond to the situation in the South China Sea during the summit?

Leaders like Singapore's Prime Minister expressed concerns about the escalating tensions, emphasizing the potential for serious conflict.

What did President Marcos say about the importance of economic cooperation with China?

He acknowledged China's significance as a major trading partner for ASEAN but stressed that economic cooperation should not be separated from political and security issues.

What was the reaction of the media to President Marcos's statements during the summit?

Media coverage indicated limited access during the summit, but reports highlighted that President Marcos's remarks were crucial in addressing illegal actions by China.

What stance did China maintain in response to President Marcos's speech?

China maintained its position that it has sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and views its actions as defensive.

What support did President Marcos express gratitude for from other countries?

He expressed gratitude for Canada's and Australia's support regarding the Philippines' position on maritime security and international law.

What is the historical context of the negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea?

The idea for a Code of Conduct was introduced in 1992, with an agreement between China and ASEAN in 2002 to develop a maritime code, but formal negotiations only began in 2017 and have made little progress by 2024.