The 26th ASEAN Summit on April 27 issued the Chairman’s Statementdealing with global and regional issues, including the East Sea issue. In the statement, leaders expressed their seriousconcerns on the land reclamation being undertaken in the East Sea, whichhas eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security andstability in the sea. In this regard, they saidthey instructed Foreign Ministers to urgently address this matterconstructively including under the various ASEAN frameworks such asASEAN-China relations, as well as the principle of peacefulco-existence. They also reaffirmed the importance ofmaintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in andover-flight over the East Sea (internationally known as the South ChinaSea). “We emphasised the need for all parties toensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety: to build,maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence; exercisingself-restraint in the conduct of activities; to not to resort to threator use of force; and for the parties concerned to resolve theirdifferences and disputes through peaceful means, in accordance withinternational law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea”, the statement said. While notingthe progress made in the consultations on the Code of Conduct in theSouth China Sea (COC), they urged that consultations be intensified, toensure the expeditious establishment of an effective COC.-VNA