ASEAN is firm that the 1982 UNCLOS should be followed with regards to the South China Sea territorial disputes, says Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is firm that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea should be followed with regards to the South China Sea territorial disputes, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Tuesday. Asked during the 7th ASEAN Media Forum regarding the collision between the Philippine and China vessels in the West Philippine Sea, Marsudi said they are monitoring the situation very closely. Indonesia is the ASEAN chairman for 2023.
77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as provided under a United Nations convention. Several near-collisions with Chinese ships and other dangerous maneuvers by its coast guard against Filipino vessels have occurred during routine Philippine resupply missions to the shoal, which is being claimed by China as part of its territory.