Antony Blinken emphasized at the US-ASEAN summit that China's escalating actions in the South China Sea are not only unlawful but also dangerous, escalating tensions and undermining peaceful dispute resolutions. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the need for collective action among Southeast Asian nations in addressing these increasing tensions, which have led to injuries and navigational disruptions.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. articulated at the summit how the Philippines faces ongoing harassment and intimidation by Chinese forces, describing these actions as significant violations of international law. With the region's security at stake, he called for a more urgent approach in ASEAN-China negotiations, emphasizing that dialogue is crucial to establish a code of conduct that governs interactions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
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