The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been consistent in its efforts to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Nyan Lynn, its deputy secretary-general in Hanoi Monday.

Addressing the Fifth International Workshop on South China Sea in Vietnam on behalf of ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, Lynn said it is ASEAN's long-standing position that territorial disputes in the South China Sea should be settled among the parties concerned by peaceful means, without resorting to the use or the threat to use force, and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Without peace, be it on land or at sea, as the bedrock foundation for forging sustainable regional integration, the ASEAN Community would be difficult to achieve. As such, there is an intimate linkage between a peaceful Southeast Asia and a prosperous and dynamic ASEAN, Lynn said.

"The notion of ASEAN centrality and unity, together with other principles of the ASEAN Charter, such as the adherence to the rule of law as well as the shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and prosperity, should imbue the spirit by which ASEAN seeks to maintain peace and stability within the South China Sea," he added.

During the two-day workshop, entitled "The South China Sea: Cooperation for Regional Security and Development," and co- organized by Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Vietnam Lawyers ' Association, over 200 participants, including government officials,scholars and experts from ASEAN member countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United States, are attending nine sessions.

The workshop focused on recent developments, the interests and policies of relevant stakeholders, the application of international law, 1982 UNCLOS in particular. The participants will put forward new recommendations to substantively contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea.