In the backdrop of China increasingly asserting its claim over the South China Sea (SCS), Vietnam's Ambassador to India, Ton Sinh Thanh said on Saturday that the SCS is important not only for countries in the region, but also for countries outside the region. He was speaking at a conference on United Nations Convention on law of the Sea (UNClOS) organised by India Foundation in Port Blair.
"South China Sea is very important not only to the countries in the region, but also outside the region," Ambassador Thanh told the mediapersons on the sidelines of the conference. He admitted that there are still disputes in SCS which are related not only to the sovereignty of the islands, but also over the overlapping of special economic zones among some countries.
"This conference is very important and it is taking place at a very important venue, which is close to the SCS. Indo-Pacific is also very important for maritime security. However, the issue is how we should comply with UNClOS. There has been the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCI) ruling, but the problem is how to enforce the rulings so that all countries here comply with the rules. This is the only way to maintain freedom of navigation and security in the region," Ambassador Thanh added.
Diplomats from Philippines, laos, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and Germany also attended the three-day conference. In his address, the Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar said that the 21st Century is going to be of seas, skies and space and it belongs to those who have new ideas, vision and technologies. He added India is going to be a major player with regard to technology. He also explained as why India is also emerging as a Naval power.