Enhancing cooperation, strengthening stability in the South China Sea
On the morning of October 7, the 18th international scientific conference on the South China Sea themed “Contestation, Connectivity, and Cooperation: The South China Sea and Regional Maritime Order” commenced in Hanoi. The conference, co-organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and partner agencies, takes place over two days from October 7-8.
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| Delegates take a commemorative photo at the South China Sea Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The event gathered nearly 50 speakers who are Vietnamese and international experts; close to 300 delegates from central and local agencies, over 40 countries, territories, and international organizations, including 25 ambassadors and heads of representative missions in Vietnam, attended in person, and about 100 delegates registered to attend online.
The opening and keynote sessions notably featured speeches from Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoang Van; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of ASEAN SOM of the Philippines Leo M. Herrera-Lim; Australian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan; and Lieutenant General Derek A. Macaulay, Senior Military Representative of Canada for the Indo-Pacific region.
The discussions focused on four main topics:
UNCLOS as the foundation of maritime Order
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoang Van speaks at the South China Sea Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The speeches emphasized that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) is a comprehensive legal framework governing activities at sea and in oceans, while also defining the rights and obligations of states.
Compliance with UNCLOS is linked to ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight and resolving disputes by peaceful means.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Hoang Van affirmed that Vietnam is ready to cooperate with ASEAN and partners to maintain a peaceful, stable, and prosperous maritime space.
Mr. Herrera-Lim reaffirmed the Philippines' stance on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award. Representatives from Australia and Canada also emphasized the need for peaceful dispute resolution and respect for international law.
Managing competition, preventing incidents and crises
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| Lieutenant General Derek A. Macaulay, Senior Military Representative of Canada for the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The speeches shared the view that the strategic environment in the South China Sea is becoming more complex with increased presence, activities, capabilities, and the application of new technologies, leading to risks of tension, collisions, and miscalculations.
The speakers emphasized dialogue, transparency, trust-building, and maintaining open communication channels. Australian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan called on parties to exercise restraint, prevent escalation of tensions, and ensure safe and professional maritime operations.
Lieutenant General Derek A. Macaulay expressed concern over military activities and ship collisions, while opposing coercive actions.
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| Australian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan speaks online to the Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Protecting connectivity and enhancing maritime infrastructure resilience
The South China Sea has always been a connection route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, essential for trade, energy, and the livelihoods of millions of people.
Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Director of the Diplomatic Academy, noted that maritime security is rapidly changing; the maritime order is shaped by the interaction of power, rules, and cooperative institutions.
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| Lieutenant General Derek A. Macaulay, Senior Military Representative of Canada for the Indo-Pacific region speaks at the Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The speeches also emphasized protecting international shipping lanes and straits, enhancing the resilience of essential maritime infrastructure, risk management, and strengthening supply chains.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines proposed promoting ASEAN cooperation on protecting critical maritime infrastructure, including underwater infrastructure.
Substantive cooperation for stability and human Security
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| Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Director of the Diplomatic Academy speaks at the Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The speakers supported ASEAN's central role and the process of building an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that aligns with international law, especially UNCLOS; they also emphasized respecting the rights and interests of third parties.
Areas of cooperation mentioned by the speakers included maritime safety, environmental protection, sustainable resource use, marine science, and capacity building.
Vietnam-Philippines cooperation on coast guard, hotlines, delegation exchanges, port visits, scientific research, and rescue of fishermen and crew members was cited as evidence of the link between maritime security and human security.
The Australian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs also shared support activities for ASEAN, including Vietnam, on maritime security and marine science.
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| Delegates attending the South China Sea Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Over the next two working days, the Conference will feature eight discussion sessions on the strategic context; competition management; energy, transportation, and maritime network security; underwater infrastructure; UNCLOS, ASEAN, and COC; deep-sea governance and marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ); port and coastal community resilience. On the sidelines of the Conference, there will be the Southeast Asia Dialogue, Southeast Asia-Pacific Dialogue, Young Leaders Program, and the release of the annual South China Sea Report, activities aimed at promoting dialogue, research, and policy exchange on maritime issues.
