New Delhi (VNA) – TheSociety for Indian Ocean Studies held a seminar on the East Sea in New Delhi,India on July 12, to mark three years since the Permanent Court of Arbitration(PCA) announced a ruling in favour of the Philippines in its lawsuit againstChina regarding the East Sea disputes.

Speaking at the event, former ForeignSecretary of India Lalit Mansingh mentioned difficulties in the enforcement ofthe PCA’s ruling as well as India’s interests and concerns over the East Sea.

Vietnamese Ambassador to IndiaPham Sanh Chau said the current East Sea situation remains complicated and unpredictable.It has attracted attention from not only regional countries but also many othernations around the world, he said.

The ambassador urged partiesconcerned to make greater efforts to maintain peace and stability in theregion, ensure freedom of navigation and aviation, strengthen trust and refrainactions that could further complicate the situation.

Scholars delivered reports on thereal situation and importance in the enforcement of the PCA’s ruling. Theyemphasised the need to reach a legally-binding Code of Conduct in the East Seabetween China and ASEAN, measures to reduce tensions in the East Sea, andaffirmed the role of international law in the process.

They called for the settlement ofdisputes via peaceful means in line with international law, not use or threatto use force, self-restraint in activities that could further complicate orescalate the disputes.

In particular, they alsounderscored the importance of the East Sea where cargo worth 5 trillion USD wastransported through each year.-VNA