Singapore’s prime minister highlighted that the Southeast Asian countries are working hard to reach an agreement with China on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, but it will take time due to the complex issues involved. Despite recent efforts to speed up the process, difficult negotiations lie ahead.
China's increasing military activities in the South China Sea have raised concerns among ASEAN nations with competing territorial claims. The leaders are meeting in Melbourne to discuss this and other issues, marking 50 years since Australia became ASEAN’s first external partner.
Leaders from the 10 ASEAN nations believe that a code of conduct with China is crucial for preventing naval confrontations in the region. While a first draft of the code has been written, negotiations are ongoing, and reaching a final agreement will require more time.
In a recent incident, Chinese coast guard ships reportedly blocked Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, leading to a minor collision. This is just one of several high-seas confrontations between the two countries, with the Philippines accusing China of provocative actions.
The Philippines, supported by Australia and other regional neighbors, continues to uphold the rule of law in the South China Sea. Despite a 2016 arbitration ruling invalidating China’s territorial claims, China has not accepted the ruling, leading to ongoing tensions in the region.
ASEAN has agreed in principle to admit East Timor as a member and has granted it observer status. Meanwhile, Myanmar, the 10th ASEAN nation, was denied political representation at the meeting due to its failure to address violence following a military takeover in 2021.
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