Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help Vietnam and other claimant states (1) to resolve their disputes in relation to the South China Sea, and (2) to conclude a substantive South China Sea Code of Conduct which conforms to international law.

In the South China Sea, our commitment is to international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We take no position on sovereignty disputes and encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through the existing legal mechanisms, including UNCLOS. We oppose any action which changes the situation on the ground, raises tensions or hinders the chances of peaceful settlement of the disputes.

The UK is committed to engaging with South East Asian countries in support of shared prosperity and regional stability. We are working with allies to strengthen regional capacity on maritime law and security, including with South China Sea claimants, through a programme of dialogues, training, and conferences. In July 2021, the then Minister for Asia signed a new Maritime Security Partnership with Vietnam, which will enhance the UK's bilateral maritime capacity cooperation. The Foreign Secretary discussed the South China Sea and regional security with counterparts during her most recent visit to SE Asia on 6-12 November.

The UK welcomes negotiations between China and ASEAN countries for an effective and substantive Code of Conduct for claimants' activities. We continue to make clear that the text should support and complement UNCLOS and reflect the legitimate interests of third countries, including the UK.  This was stated most recently in the Chair's statement on 12 December following the first meeting between G7 Foreign and Development Ministers and ASEAN member States.