ASEAN urges South China Sea calm, backs sanctions vs North Korea

SYDNEY – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its neighbor Australia vowed to boost defense ties while stressing the importance of non-militarization in the disputed South China Sea yesterday at a summit.

Tensions in the South China Sea remain a big worry for regional leaders, as Beijing continues to build artificial islands capable of hosting military installations – much to the chagrin of other claimants to the area.

Vietnam remains the most vocal in the dispute with the Philippines backing off under China-friendly President Duterte. Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims.

ASEAN and Australia reaffirmed “the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and over-flight in the region,” without naming Beijing.

The leaders added that they wanted to see an “early conclusion of an effective code of conduct in the (South China Sea).”

“We will uphold our commitment to the rules-based order and international law in the region, including the (South China Sea),” stressed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

China and the five countries that have conflicting territorial claims over the South China Sea – which include four ASEAN countries – plan to negotiate a code of conduct in one of the world’s busiest waterways aimed at reducing the risks of armed confrontations in the contested territories.

With China flexing its muscle, they also committed to enhancing “the scope and sophistication of defense cooperation,” while expressing “grave concern” about escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

“We reiterate our support for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner as well as initiatives toward establishing peace in the Korean Peninsula,’” the joint statement said at the end of the weekend summit. –AFP, AP