A joint statement of the Asean-Australia Special Summit signed by member heads of state aired the strongest position against aggressive acts in the South China Sea. The group reaffirmed “the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region,” said Dindo Manhit, president of the independent think tank Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute said.

China sets war games in disputed sea. (2018, March 24). Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.