ASEAN Diplomats Highlight Concerns Over US-Iran Tensions and South China Sea Disputes

Southeast Asian foreign ministers have expressed "serious concern" over renewed US-Iran hostilities, calling for an immediate cessation of attacks across all fronts in the Middle East and warning that the escalating conflict threatens global energy supplies, trade, and food security. "We are deeply concerned that these developments severely undermine the ongoing efforts of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy," the ministers said in a joint statement. The 11-member bloc called on all parties to exercise "utmost self-restraint" and avoid any acts that could further aggravate the situation. It underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, upholding international law, and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts.

The ministers acknowledged the immediate and long-term effects of the Middle East crisis on the well-being of their people, noting ongoing initiatives to mitigate socio-economic impacts and support access to healthcare and basic services, particularly for vulnerable populations. They also expressed concern over the implications of continued tensions on regional trade, energy and food security, including energy markets and supply chains, agricultural production, and the stability of agricultural input supply chains, particularly fertilisers. Asean expressed "deep concern" over any discriminatory or unilateral measures that may impede or obstruct vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz or any straits used for international navigation, and called for the restoration of safe, unimpeded and continuous transit passage. The Asean statement specifically calls for a "complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East." Asean is a major oil importer with a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion, making it highly exposed to supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. The bloc has sought to fast-track an oil-sharing mechanism to mitigate the impact.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also took a swipe at China in an opinion piece published in Philippine newspapers, warning that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea was "by no means guaranteed." "If those waters fall under the control of a power willing to use commerce as a geopolitical weapon, both the United States and the Asean states would face dire new threats to their sovereignty, security and economic futures," Rubio wrote. He reiterated that a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China's sweeping sovereignty claims in the South China Sea was "final and binding" and said the US would honour its obligations to the Philippines and other allies.

A fresh war of words erupted after the Philippine military accused China's Coast Guard personnel of striking one of its navy personnel on the head with a baton near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal on Monday. Both governments have exchanged accusations of provocation and dangerous manoeuvres. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will summon China's ambassador in Manila, his office said, hours after Manila's envoy in Beijing was similarly summoned. China's foreign ministry said Asean was not a forum for discussing bilateral maritime disputes, adding: "The Philippines should promote dialogue and cooperation, rather than placing its own political interests above regional peace and stability. " The US State Department condemned what it described as China's "dangerous and aggressive" actions. The ministers also held consultations on the conflict in Myanmar, where the bloc's peace initiative has faltered five years after a military coup that plunged the country into a civil war that has killed an estimated 100,000 people. The Asean statement reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to maintaining maritime safety and security in accordance with international law and called for restoring safe, unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz. It also expressed concern over unilateral measures inconsistent with international law and the safety of seafarers.