On 30 December 2023 the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ released a Statement on Maintaining and Promoting Stability in the Maritime Sphere in Southeast Asia. The statement reaffirms commitments and regional efforts to maritime cooperation and dialogue, also noting:
We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region. We reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, safety, security, stability, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the maritime sphere of Southeast Asia, particularly the South China Sea. We also reaffirm the need to restore and enhance mutual trust and confidence as well as exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, avoid actions that may further complicate the situation and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting Stability in the Maritime Sphere in Southeast Asia, para. 3
De Maribus 