Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told the press on the final day of his China visit that Singapore is trying to help ease tensions in the East Sea by proposing a short-term interim solution, adding that the country also suggested expanding the Code to cover both naval vessels and coast guards.
He said China has indicated that it is a worth-exploring idea, but he also pointed out that CUES is not a new idea but originated from the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, a series of biennial meetings of the Pacific nations to discuss naval matters.
The question now is whether China and ASEAN can expand the idea and build confidence, even as consultations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea continue, he stated, adding that Singapore will play a neutral role in being a constructive conduit for dialogue among the concerned parties.
Singapore is currently a coordinator of the ASEAN – China relationship.
