Australia-ASEAN Leaders Urge China to Refrain from Actions Threatening Peace in the South China Sea

Joint Statement at Special Summit
"Urging Coordination through Dialogue Instead of Threats and Use of Force"

Leaders of Australia and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) urged China, which is in conflict with Southeast Asian countries over territorial claims in the South China Sea, to "refrain from unilateral actions that threaten peace, security, and stability."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (far left) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member state leaders participated in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne, Australia, on the 5th (local time) and posed for a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Reuters]

At the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne, Australia, on the 6th (local time), the leaders of Australia and ASEAN stated in a joint communiqu?, "We recognize the value of making the South China Sea a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity."

China has drawn nine dash lines in a U-shape in the South China Sea, claiming about 90% of the area within as its territorial waters, causing conflicts with Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam. Previously, the Philippines filed a lawsuit with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2016, which ruled that China’s territorial claims have no basis under international law; however, China has not changed its stance. Just the day before, a Philippine vessel conducting a supply mission near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea collided with a Chinese coast guard ship, and a Philippine soldier was injured by a water cannon fired by the Chinese vessel.

The leaders of Australia and ASEAN emphasized, "We strive to make the region one where differences are resolved through respectful dialogue rather than threats or use of force," and "We seek a region where disputes are peacefully resolved in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)."

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing that they had not confirmed the original text of the joint communiqu? but added, "We will manage conflicts and differences with relevant countries through dialogue and negotiation," urging the implementation of the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" signed by China and ASEAN countries.

Meanwhile, Australia and ASEAN also condemned attacks on all civilians and civilian infrastructure regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip in their joint statement, calling for "an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire." The leaders held the special summit from the 4th to the 6th to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between Australia and ASEAN. The summit was attended by leaders from nine ASEAN countries, excluding Myanmar, as well as leaders from East Timor, which is scheduled to join ASEAN.