4 The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea: Recent Actions Taken by ASEAN

Abstract

This chapter examines the recent developments in the South China Sea (SCS) by focusing on the actions taken by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past few years to ensure the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) and move toward the eventual conclusion of a regional code of conduct (COC) in the SCS. It discusses the adoption of the DOC, the difficulties ASEAN encountered in dealing with the SCS issues as a group, and recent actions taken by ASEAN in relation to the implementation of the DOC and adoption of a regional COC in the SCS. The chapter concludes with remarks on the prospect for implementation of the DOC and adoption of a regional COC, and a call for Taiwan's inclusion in the negotiating process that deals with the SCS issues and in particular the DOC and COC-related matters. Keywords: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); code of conduct (COC); Declaration on the Conduct (DOC); South China Sea (SCS); Taiwan