Code of Conduct Negotiation in the South China Sea—Lacking Will or Skill?

YCAPS and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation are excited to announce our next event in Sasebo. This event will feature Dr. Yoichiro Sato, who will lead us in a discussion on the code of conduct negotiations in the South China Sea. After Dr. Sato's presentation, Mr. William Yale, Surface Warfare Officer, U.S. Navy, will join us as a discussant and provide comments and perspectives to help kick off the Q&A portion of the event.

More than twenty years have passed since the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in 2002 launched an official negotiation towards signing of a binding code of conduct. The negotiation intermittently slowed and picked up pace as various events in the South China Sea and the changes in broader strategic contexts inevitably affected the negotiation. This talk will raise issues and consider whether China's intentional foot-dragging is the main cause of the prolonged negotiation.

All are welcome and free food and refreshments will be provided.

*Please note that this is an in-person seminar taking place in Sasebo, Nagasaki. It will not be streamed online.

**Upcoming Seminars**
・October 25 (Wed.) @Yokosuka, Kanagawa 
 "The Transition and Development of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” Policy"
https://www.spf.org/en/seminar/list/20231025.html

*The seminar is an in-person event (free of charge). Please register in advance from the registration button on this page.

*According to local government recommendations, mask usage will be optional; however, we ask that you please refrain from attending if you have Flu-like symptoms. 

*All attendees are welcome to attend the reception before the seminar.

https://www.ycaps.org/spf-sasebo-oct-2023