President of the Conference of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ) Benny Antipordahas opposed China’s continued aggressive actions in all waters that itnow claims as “part” of its national territory.
In his statementissued on July 3, the CAJ President said these actions have become aserious concern for all peace-loving people everywhere, in particular,to the people of Southeast Asia.
Specifically, China’s actionshave now seriously affected its relationship with the two CAJ members,the Philippines and Vietnam, both of whom are now at the “receiving end”of China’s bullying tactics in the East Sea.
“We describeChina’s actions as “bullying” because, clearly, it is using its economicand military might against its weak and smaller neighbours to back upits territorial claims without regard to historical tradition and factsand to the long, peaceful relationship that has existed between Chinaand other countries in the ASEAN region,” the statement said.
Asthe umbrella organisation of all media groups in the region, the CAJsupports all efforts of the affected governments and other internationalsupports and agencies to find a more lasting and binding solution tothis issue through peaceful means, the statement affirmed.
Forits part, China, as a leading member of the United Nations, should showleadership by example through its respect for the territorial integrity ofits immediate neighbours, abidance to the rule of law andacknowledgement of the importance of international arbitration in thesettlement of disputes, the statement said.
“As for our fellowjournalists in the region and elsewhere, we should all pool our effortsin educating and informing the public on the importance of mutualrespect, especially among nation-states, in calling on China to returnto the negotiating table and in reminding China that the policy it iscurrently pursuing is not earning for its greater respect but rather,greater suspicion leading to its isolation before the eyes of theworld,” said the statement.-VNA
In his statementissued on July 3, the CAJ President said these actions have become aserious concern for all peace-loving people everywhere, in particular,to the people of Southeast Asia.
Specifically, China’s actionshave now seriously affected its relationship with the two CAJ members,the Philippines and Vietnam, both of whom are now at the “receiving end”of China’s bullying tactics in the East Sea.
“We describeChina’s actions as “bullying” because, clearly, it is using its economicand military might against its weak and smaller neighbours to back upits territorial claims without regard to historical tradition and factsand to the long, peaceful relationship that has existed between Chinaand other countries in the ASEAN region,” the statement said.
Asthe umbrella organisation of all media groups in the region, the CAJsupports all efforts of the affected governments and other internationalsupports and agencies to find a more lasting and binding solution tothis issue through peaceful means, the statement affirmed.
Forits part, China, as a leading member of the United Nations, should showleadership by example through its respect for the territorial integrity ofits immediate neighbours, abidance to the rule of law andacknowledgement of the importance of international arbitration in thesettlement of disputes, the statement said.
“As for our fellowjournalists in the region and elsewhere, we should all pool our effortsin educating and informing the public on the importance of mutualrespect, especially among nation-states, in calling on China to returnto the negotiating table and in reminding China that the policy it iscurrently pursuing is not earning for its greater respect but rather,greater suspicion leading to its isolation before the eyes of theworld,” said the statement.-VNA
