A conference on the international law perspective on the Bien Dong (East Sea) came under the spotlight in an article carried by the Belgian Euro Press Image (EPI) portal on March 11.

Professor Erik Franck, a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) chaired the conference in Brussels, which brought together over 100 scholars, lawyers, researchers and former judges at international courts along with officials from the European Union and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussion was focused on fishery, navigation, islands and archipelagos, and the settlement of international disputes.

The article quoted PhD Friedrich Wieland, the Head of the legal section of the European Commission Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fishery, as saying the aquatic resources in the Bien Dong are being overexploited, causing negative effects on the environment. According to Wieland, one of the causes behind this problem is the lack of clear delimitation of sovereignty.

To solve this problem, the involved parties should cooperate, avoid any unilateral action and respect international law, he said.

Experts agreed that the so-called “nine-dash line” claim of China in 2009 lacks legal foundations and to date China has failed to produce any valid legal documents to prove its claim.

They held that China’s unilateral actions in the disputed areas such as constructing or changing the status quos on islands could threaten the navigation safety and security and regional stability, adding that the acts are not recognised by international law.

They suggested ASEAN countries such as Viet Nam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia need to study and continue invoking international law to clarify their opinions and request the involved parties to address the disputes in an equal manner and in line with international law.