Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded a three-day summit today, with a joint statement calling for restraint in the disputed South China Sea and a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The statement emphasized concern over the "dire" humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging for the release of all hostages in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The statement said, "We condemn attacks against all civilians and civilian infrastructure, which lead to further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including restrictions on access to food, water, and other basic needs." It added, "We urge an immediate and permanent ceasefire for humanitarian reasons."
Both sides called for restraint in the disputed South China Sea and advocated for a "rules-based" order in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where Beijing seeks to increase its presence in the South China Sea. Australia hosted the summit with ASEAN in Melbourne to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, despite ongoing disputes among the ten ASEAN members regarding China's plans to expand its diplomatic and military presence in the South China Sea.
The ASEAN comprises predominantly Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, while Australia remains a strong supporter of Israel, despite its previous calls for a ceasefire and its criticism of the high death toll resulting from the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
