The 2002 Declaration on the COP in the South China Sea

Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea
The Government of the Member States of ASEAN and th e Government of the
People’s Republic of China,

5. The parties undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities
that would complicate or escalate disputes and affe ct peace and stability
including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently
uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their
differences in a constructive manner.

harmony, mutual understanding and co-operation, and facilitating peaceful
resolution of disputes among them;

For the Republic of the Philippines
Blas F. Ople
Secretary of Foreign Affairs