Vice Chairman of Hai Phong People’s Committee Nguyen Xuan Binh delivered speech at the seminar
|
Leading scientists in the field, including Dr. John W. McManus from Rosenstiel School at the US’ Miami University, and Dr. Masanori Muto from Mitsubishi Research Institute, discussed a number of issues including lessons in managing a sea of peace and sustainability in Southeast Asia.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Nguyen Xuan Binh said that the East Sea plays a significant role in regional countries as well as the international community. Along with its value in science and environment, the sea is important to the development of countries in the region and the world, said Binh.
He noted that over the past years, many regional states have made efforts through bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanism to seek solutions to the maintenance of peace and stability as well as the protection of the ecosystem in the East Sea.
However, the East Sea is facing a number of challenges in environment degradation and the decline of resources, along with problems in security of navigation and overflight, stated Binh. He also expressed his hope that experiences and initiatives shared during the seminar will help relevant parties to strengthen cooperation in the work.
He affirmed that Hai Phong, the third largest city of Vietnam and the largest gateway to the ocean in the country’s northern region, is working hard to build a modern city, while raising the public awareness of the responsibility to protect the maritime environment, joining hands with the international community to promote a blue East Sea.
New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee
|
The seventh Xiangshan Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese Association for Military Science and the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, officially opened in Beijing.
Themed “Build a New Type of International Relations through Security Dialogue and Cooperation”, this year’s event attracts nearly 400 military officials and specialists from around the globe. It focuses on responding to new security challenges in Asia-Pacific through cooperation, role of militaries in global governance, maritime security cooperation, and international terrorist threats and countermeasures.
Expressing concern over the East Sea issue, Brownlee stressed that New Zealand opposes actions that undermine peace and erode trust, and would like to see all parties actively take steps to reduce those tensions. "As a small maritime trading nation, international law and, in particular, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is important for New Zealand”, he said, adding that he believes countries have the right to seek international resolution such as arbitral process.
This isn't the first time New Zealand has raised its voice on the East Sea issue. According to Reuters, in February, New Zealand urged for Chinese restraint after Beijing's apparent deployment of an advanced missile system on an East Sea island, while Beijing said New Zealand's proposal is unconstructive.
