The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reinforced its call for a peaceful solution to the South China Sea dispute during its 46th summit on Tuesday.
Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, ASEAN leaders urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that might escalate tensions in the contested waters.
In a statement after the summit, the bloc emphasized its “unwavering” commitment to peace, stability, and freedom of navigation across the vital maritime region.
The leaders stressed the importance of maintaining a rules-based regional order and fostering mutual trust among claimant states and stakeholders.
“We reaffirmed the need to exercise self-restraint in activities that could complicate disputes or threaten peace and stability,” the statement said.
ASEAN leaders also highlighted the critical role of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
The DOC commits parties to avoid aggressive actions and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than conflict.
Progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) was welcomed, with ASEAN affirming its dedication to finalizing the COC based on international law.
Confidence-building and preventive measures were encouraged to promote transparency and trust among involved parties, the leaders said.
The South China Sea remains a hotspot of geopolitical tension, bordered by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This vital waterway supports a significant portion of global commercial shipping, making stability there critical for international trade and regional peace.