ASEAN leaders renew call for 'self-restraint' in South China Sea

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) renewed their call for “self-restraint” in activities in the disputed South China Sea during the 2026 ASEAN Summit.

In the chair’s statement posted on the ASEAN Philippines 2026 website, regional leaders recognized the importance of maintaining the South China Sea as a region of peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development.

“We discussed the situation in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” the statement read.

The leaders also underscored the need to pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They likewise emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability, and the safety of seafarers and vessels navigating the contested waters.

ASEAN leaders also welcomed progress in the ongoing negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

“We emphasised the need to maintain and promote an environment conducive to the COC negotiations, and thus welcomed practical measures that could reduce tensions and the risk of accidents, misunderstandings, and miscalculation,” the statement added.

The proposed COC seeks to establish rules aimed at preventing disputes in the South China Sea from escalating into armed conflict that could involve the United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, and other countries with competing claims against China.

However, negotiations on the COC have faced repeated delays and have dragged on for more than a decade.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the proposed establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines is not intended to confront any particular country.

Marcos said the adoption of a declaration on maritime cooperation among ASEAN leaders includes the Philippines’ proposal to host the maritime center, which he said would serve “as an important platform for maritime cooperation in coordination with relevant ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms.”—MCG, GMA News