Manila: Timor-Leste, poised to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, has reiterated its commitment to upholding international law in the region, particularly in the South China Sea. Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas announced the nation’s stance during a joint press briefing with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in Pasay City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Minister dos Santos Freitas expressed Timor-Leste’s support for ASEAN’s initiatives to foster peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the region. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the legal basis for resolving maritime disputes. Dos Santos Freitas also highlighted his country’s rejection of actions that could escalate tensions, including militarization in the region. He called for self-restraint, de-escalation, and peaceful dialogue among involved parties.
China, the Philippines, and other coastal states remain embroiled in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea, a crucial maritime area where China asserts claims over approximately 80 percent of the waters based on “historic rights.” For years, the Philippines and several other regional states have advocated for peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law, specifically referencing the UNCLOS-based Arbitral Award issued in 2016.
As Timor-Leste prepares for its expected full ASEAN membership in October, the country’s top diplomat emphasized that Dili would maintain a “principled, neutral, and law-based stance” concerning the development of a more binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Negotiations between ASEAN and China are progressing, with the aim of finalizing the code by 2026. The COC is intended to build on the 2002 Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea and establish regulations to manage tensions in the contested sea lanes.
In the 2024 ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s State of Southeast Asia (SSEA) survey, 36.9 percent of Southeast Asians expressed belief that Timor-Leste, known for its strong support of the rule of law, would contribute positively to strengthening the bloc’s “unity and centrality” upon its entry as an ASEAN member.