As a legal precedent for Asean claimant-states in clarifying their maritime entitlements and boundaries, it should thus be recognized in the envisioned Code of Conduct. On one hand, the most immediate impact is averting the escalating risk of military confrontation in the South China Sea. The second benefit of a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea is guaranteeing the continued maritime traffic—and therefore trade and commerce—in the important sea route. After all, up to $5 trillion worth of goods and logistics pass through the shipping lanes of the South China Sea per year. The Philippines must thus endeavor to show that the stability of the South China Sea will be to every party’s benefit, both in fostering political peace and economic prosperity.

Source: The Standard July 23, 2017 16:06 UTC