Developments in East Sea to be discussed in ASEAN Summit

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 09:10 am

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung confirmed that ASEAN member states will have a discussion on the recent development in East Sea during the first virtual meeting this week.

Dung said that the issue need to be discussed as it is part of the meeting to tackle regional and international issues. He also reiterated that the developments on East Sea will be mentioned with the regional partners and and Asean leaders.

The 36th ASEAN Summit will take place online on Friday. Physical summit were not allowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beijing has been recently criticized by Vietnam due to the intrusive and transgressive actions in the East Sea while the world is busy fighting the pandemic. They were able to establish the “governed” administrative districts over the disputed islands also claimed by Vietnam.

Vietnam, on the other hand, claims sovereignity over the islands and strongly denounced illegal actions by China on the disputed areas.

Deputy Minister Dung said that ASEAN leaders will also be discussing community building activities for the region and cooperation with international partners and top methods for its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Dung also revealed that ASEAN and China have yet to meet to discuss the Code of Conduct due to the pandemic. Both side initially agreed to meet and draft the document of the COC. ASEAN and China will discuss on July 1.

Related News: https://www.theasianaffairs.com/asean-news/2020/06/23/vietnam-to-host-the-much-delayed-asean-summit-remotely/