Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on the Discussion of China Standard Map 2023 Edition at High-Level Bilateral and Multilateral Interactions, and Its Impact on Progress of Code of Conduct in South China Sea Negotiations, 19 September 2023

QUESTION

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) whether the China Standard Map 2023 Edition has been discussed during recent high-level bilateral and multilateral exchanges, including the 43rd ASEAN Summit; (b) what substantive progress has been made in the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (CoC) negotiations; (c) what contentious issues are still unresolved; and (d) when will the third reading of the Single Draft CoC Negotiating Text take place.

REPLY

There have been various statements and outcome documents from the recently concluded ASEAN and related Summits which are in the public domain. Singapore’s position is that all claims in the South China Sea must be in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), negotiators have completed the second reading of the Single Draft Negotiating Text. Singapore will continue to work towards an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and that safeguards the rights and interests of all parties in the South China Sea.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

19 SEPTEMBER 2023