ASEAN DECLARATION ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

We, the Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-

Recalling the historic, cultural, and social ties that bind our peoples as states adjacent to the South China Sea;

Wishing to promote the spirit of kinship, friendship and harmony among our peoples who share similar Asian traditions and heritage;

Desirous of further promoting conditions essential to greater economic cooperation and growth;

Recognizing that we are bound by similar ideals of mutual respect, freedom,
sovereignty and mutuality of interests;

Recognizing that the South China Sea issues involve sensitive questions of
sovereignty and jurisdiction of the parties directly concerned;

Conscious that any adverse developments in the South China Sea directly affect peace and stability in the region;

Hereby -

1. Emphasize the necessity to resolve all sovereignty and jurisdictional issues
pertaining to the South China Sea by peaceful means, without resort to force;

2. Urge all parties concerned to exercise restraint with the view to creating a positive
climate for the eventual resolution of all disputes.

3. Resolve, without prejudicing the sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries having
direct interests in the area, to explore the possibility of cooperation in the South China
Sea relating to the safety of maritime navigation and communication, coordination of
search and rescue operations, efforts towards combating piracy and arm robbery as
well as collaboration in the campaign against illicit trafficking in drug;

4. Command all parties concerned to apply the principles contained in a Treaty of
Amity and Cooperation in Southeast is the basis for establishing core of international
conduct over the South China Sea;

5. Invite all parties concerned to subscribe to this declaration of principles.

Signed in Manila, Philippines, this 22nd day of July, 1992.

 Choi Xin Zhong,Student of 

 GSAPS, HanYang University