The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to ensure maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation, non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the South China Sea. “We are dedicated to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region and to ensuring maritime security and safety, as well as freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas as described in the 1982 UNCLOS,” the ASEAN-US Special Summit 2022 Joint Vision Statement read, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The statement, crafted in Washington late last week, also called for “unimpeded lawful maritime commerce.”

Lee-Brago, P. (2022, May 17). US, Asean commit to non-militarization in disputed sea. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 5.