Update | China and Asean agree to exercise self-restraint in South China Sea, hours after Beijing dodges direct criticism
Association of Southeast Asian Nations had been split on their response to the international court ruling
China dodged direct criticism over its activities in the South China Sea in a joint statement issued by Asean on Monday, with Beijing’s top envoy calling for a new page to be turned following an international court ruling.
The bloc’s statement covered a range of issues and included a section on the contested waters. It expressed serious concern over land reclamations and “escalations of activities”, but did not directly challenge Beijing nor mention the ruling.
Hours later, China and Asean released a second joint statement saying both sides agreed to exercise self-restraint over activities that would “complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability”.
This included avoiding “action of inhabiting .. the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features”, while handling differences in a “constructive manner”.
Both sides would explore or cooperate in navigation safety, search and rescue, marine scientific research, environmental protection and fighting transnational crime at sea, it said.