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Synopsis :

The final part of a four part series on ASEAN in the new millenium looks at progress made in  drafting a regional code of conduct for resolving the territorial dispute between China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia over the oil and gas rich Spratly islands in the South China Sea. The code, which is yet to be endorsed, was first proposed at the  ASEAN Regional Forum in July 1999. Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor S. Jayakumar explains why ASEAN is intent on drawing up a common position on the issue which will make claimants observe rules of restraint and settle disputes amicably. However, analysts question whether the code, negotiated under the umbrella of the ASEAN Regional Forum,  will be acceptable to non-ASEAN claimants of the islands like China which prefer to deal with the issue on a bilateral basis with other claimant states.