Disputes in the East Sea after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s ruling issued in July 2016 will be tabled at an international symposium to be hosted by the Asia-Africa Institute under the Hamburg University from 24-25 November.

Vietnamese fishing vessel operates in East Sea - Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

According to the organising board, the event will draw European experts on Asia and Southeast Asia and international law, scientists, and historians, including Dr. Benoit de Treglode from the Paris-based Military School’s Institute for Strategic Research, Prof. Dr. Stein Tonnesson from Peace Research Institute Oslo, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Kolotov from St. Petersburg State University, and Dr. Eva Pejsova from the European Union Institute for Security Studies, along with German experts and scholars on Asia, Southeast Asia and East Sea.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Engelbert from the Asia-Africa Institute said that the symposium is designed to provide the international community as well as people in Europe and Germany with an insight into the status quo in the East Sea.

In July last year, the PCA ruled out China’s “nine-dash line” claim and declared that there is no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the so called nine-dash line.

However, China completely rejected the PCA’s ruling, and maintained its stance that disputes between countries with overlapped sovereign claims in the East Sea need to be solved bilaterally, Engelbert said.

In recent years, the East Sea issue has attracted much attention from the international community. Although Europe and the East Sea are located over 9,000km apart, the two regions have mutual dependence in terms of economy, politics, and security.

Therefore, escalated tensions in the East Sea may hurt Europe’s interests and threaten stability and prosperity in the world.

During the 2-day event, experts are expected to exchange opinions on current disputes in the East Sea, Europe’s experience, and solutions to disputes.

(Source: VNA)