Many delegations expressed concerns about the newest developments which are threatening security and stability in the region. Countries present at the forum agreed that conflicts should be avoided and disputes shall be solved through dialogues, according to international laws.
China’s construction of facilities on man-made islands is currently changing the status quo in the area. Not only does this action violate the Declaration of Conduct that China signed with ASEAN, it also erodes trust between nations and further complicates the situation.
The forum also saw North Korea and the EU, for the first time speaking about the situation in the East Sea. This shows the increased attention the international community is paying to what’s happening in this area.
