With regard vs. As regards

[Miss Mae]

I remember reading an essay of yours advising the use of with regard. With that in mind, will I be correct in thinking that the use of as regards in the following sentence is wrong?

He also urged other countries to translate commitments into action as regards the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

[Joe Carillo]

"With regard to" or "regarding" would be much better, Miss Mae. "As regards" has a slippery legalese sound to it that many grammarians find objectionable.