China urges Asean to conclude the COC

13 Sept 23:31 Key points summarised by AI

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged ASEAN to accelerate negotiations for a "substantive and effective" Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, aligning with international law, including UNCLOS.
The call was made during the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China relations, where Wang Yi also emphasized avoiding external disruptions and advancing practical maritime cooperation to maintain regional peace and stability.
Despite China showing increased flexibility in its language regarding the COC, ASEAN members still have differing interpretations of key terms like "conform" and its legal implications, causing delays in agreement.
The strong and evolving ASEAN-China relationship was highlighted, with China being ASEAN's largest trading partner since 2009, and ASEAN recently becoming China's top trading partner, underscoring significant economic ties.

Uthenthawai students and alumni declare truce with Pathumwan rivals

Yesterday 20:34 Key points summarised by AI

Uthenthawai students and alumni have pledged to cease violent clashes with Pathumwan Institute rivals, coinciding with their campus's reopening after a 90-day closure.
The Minister of Higher Education is mediating the long-running conflict, while the campus closure has significantly disrupted in-person classes and laboratory work for over 1,000 students.
Uthenthawai resists relocation from its current site, citing a historical land grant from King Rama VI, despite Chulalongkorn University's plans to reclaim the land for an educational hub.
Concerns are mounting over the legality of the campus closure, its detrimental impact on uninvolved students, and the potential commercial development of the land, which critics argue contradicts the late King Rama VI's intentions.