[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 110 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 524--REAFFIRMING THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THE UNITED 
  STATES FOR THE 2002 DECLARATION OF CONDUCT OF PARTIES IN THE SOUTH 
CHINA SEA AMONG THE MEMBER STATES OF ASEAN AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF 
                     CHINA, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Webb, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. 
Lieberman, and Mr. McCain) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 524

       Whereas the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 
     plays a key role in strengthening and contributing to peace, 
     stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region;
       Whereas the vision of the ASEAN Leaders in their goals set 
     out in the ASEAN Charter to integrate ASEAN economically, 
     politically, and culturally furthers regional peace, 
     stability, and prosperity;
       Whereas the United States Government recognizes the 
     importance of a strong, cohesive, and integrated ASEAN as a 
     foundation for effective regional frameworks to promote peace 
     and security and economic growth and to ensure that the Asia-
     Pacific community develops according to rules and norms 
     agreed upon by all of its members;
       Whereas the United States is enhancing political, security 
     and economic cooperation in Southeast Asia through ASEAN, and 
     seeks to continue to enhance its role in partnership with 
     ASEAN and others in the region in addressing transnational 
     issues ranging from climate change to maritime security;
       Whereas the United States Government welcomes the 
     development of a peaceful and prosperous China which respects 
     international norms, international laws, international 
     institutions, and international rules, and enhances security 
     and peace, and seeks to advance a ``cooperative partnership'' 
     between the United States and China;
       Whereas ASEAN plays an important role, in partnership with 
     others in the regional and international community, in 
     addressing maritime security issues in the Asia-Pacific 
     region and into the Indian Ocean, including open access to 
     the maritime commons of Asia;
       Whereas the South China Sea is a vital part of the maritime 
     commons of Asia, including critical sea lanes of 
     communication and commerce between the Pacific and Indian 
     oceans;
       Whereas, in the declaration on the conduct of parties in 
     the South China Sea, the governments of the member states of 
     ASEAN and the Government of the People's Republic of China 
     have affirmed ``that the adoption of a code of conduct in the 
     South China Sea would further promote peace and stability in 
     the region'' and have agreed to work towards the attainment 
     of a code of conduct;
       Whereas, pending the peaceful settlement of territorial and 
     jurisdictional disputes, the member states of ASEAN and the 
     People's Republic of China have committed to ``exercise self-
     restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate 
     or escalate disputes and stability, including, among others, 
     refraining from action of inhabiting presently uninhabited 
     islands, reefs, shoals, and other features and to handle 
     their differences in a constructive manner'';
       Whereas, pending the peaceful settlement of territorial and 
     jurisdictional disputes, the member states of ASEAN and the 
     People's Republic of China affirmed their commitment ``to the 
     freedom of navigation in and overflight of the South China 
     Sea provided for by the universally recognized principles of 
     international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the 
     Law of the Sea''; and
       Whereas, although not a party to these disputes, the United 
     States has national interests in freedom of navigation, the 
     maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international 
     law, and unimpeded lawful commerce: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) reaffirms the strong support of the United States for 
     the 2002 declaration of conduct of parties in the South China 
     Sea among the member states of ASEAN and the People's 
     Republic of China;
       (2) supports the member states of ASEAN, and the Government 
     of the People's Republic of China, as they seek to adopt a 
     legally-binding code of conduct of parties in the South China 
     Sea, and urges all countries to substantively support ASEAN 
     in its efforts in this regard;
       (3) strongly urges that, pending adoption of a code of 
     conduct, all parties, consistent with commitments under the 
     declaration of conduct, ``exercise self-restraint in the 
     conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate 
     disputes and stability, including, among others, refraining 
     from action of inhabiting presently uninhabited islands, 
     reefs, shoals and other features and to handle their 
     differences in a constructive manner'';
       (4) supports a collaborative diplomatic process by all 
     claimants for resolving outstanding territorial and 
     jurisdictional disputes, allowing parties to peacefully 
     settle claims and disputes using international law;
       (5) reaffirms the United States commitment--
       (A) to assist the nations of Southeast Asia to remain 
     strong and independent;
       (B) to help ensure each nation enjoys peace and stability;
       (C) to broaden and deepen economic, political, diplomatic, 
     security, social, and cultural partnership with ASEAN and its 
     member states; and
       (D) to promote the institutions of emerging regional 
     architecture and prosperity; and
       (6) supports enhanced operations by the United States armed 
     forces in the Western Pacific, including in the South China 
     Sea, including in partnership with the armed forces of others 
     countries in the region, in support of freedom of navigation, 
     the maintenance of peace and stability, respect for 
     international law, including the peaceful resolution of 
     issues of sovereignty, and unimpeded lawful commerce.

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