Kuala Lumpur: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to the "peaceful" resolution of the long-standing South China Sea dispute, urging all parties to exercise "maximum" restraint and avoid any activities that could escalate disputes or threaten peace and stability in the contested waters.

According to Anadolu Agency, the leaders of the grouping, who convened at the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur under Malaysia's chairmanship, reiterated their commitment to upholding peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea. This comes amid increasing concerns over regional maritime tensions.

In a statement released after the summit, the leaders emphasized the necessity of maintaining a rules-based regional order, highlighting the importance of fostering mutual trust and confidence among claimant states and other stakeholders. The statement underscored the need for restraint in activities that could complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.

The leaders also stressed the importance of fully implementing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which commits parties to resolving disputes through dialogue and avoiding aggressive actions. They welcomed progress in ongoing negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and expressed a commitment to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC in accordance with international law.

The ASEAN leaders reaffirmed the importance of confidence-building and preventive measures to foster trust and transparency among parties involved in the South China Sea. The region, a crucial passage for a significant portion of global commercial shipping, has long been a source of tension and distrust, bordered by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.