South China Sea/ U.S.-China relations/ ASEAN summit/ Antony Blinken/ Philippines/ regional security/ Blinken South China Sea/ U.S. ASEAN summit/ China territorial disputes/ Southeast Asia tensions/ Newslooks/ VIENTIANE/ Laos/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At the ASEAN summit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned China’s “dangerous and unlawful” behavior in the South China Sea, affirming the U.S. commitment to maintain freedom of navigation in the contested waters. China responded by accusing the U.S. of fueling tensions, while Blinken and ASEAN leaders discussed regional issues, including the Middle East conflict and Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis.
U.S. Condemns China’s South China Sea Actions: Quick Looks
- U.S. Criticism: Blinken criticized China’s “unlawful” behavior in disputed sea areas, pledging U.S. support for freedom of navigation.
- China Responds: Beijing accused the U.S. and other non-regional forces of destabilizing the South China Sea.
- Regional Disputes: Philippine President Marcos highlighted ongoing Chinese harassment and called for urgent South China Sea code of conduct talks.
- Broader ASEAN Focus: Discussions also addressed issues in Myanmar, Ukraine, and the escalating Middle East crisis.
Blinken Criticizes China’s Actions in South China Sea at ASEAN Summit
Deep Look
At the annual ASEAN summit in Laos, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke strongly against China’s “increasingly dangerous and unlawful” activities in the South China Sea, asserting that the U.S. would continue to ensure freedom of navigation in these contested waters. Blinken’s remarks underscored rising concerns over China’s aggressive actions, which threaten not only ASEAN member states but also critical global trade routes.
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. Beijing claims almost the entire region, creating overlapping territorial conflicts with several ASEAN nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling invalidating its expansive claims, China has escalated its military presence in the area, building artificial islands, fortifying bases, and sending patrols to enforce its claims. Chinese vessels have clashed with those of the Philippines and Vietnam multiple times this year, while Indonesia and Malaysia have protested China’s patrols in their own exclusive economic zones.
“The United States is very concerned about China’s increasingly dangerous and unlawful activities in the South China Sea,” Blinken told ASEAN leaders, citing Chinese actions that have injured people and damaged vessels. He also reinforced the U.S. commitment to “freedom of navigation and overflight” in the region. Although the U.S. has no territorial claims in the area, it regularly conducts naval patrols there to counter China’s assertions.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the U.S. of destabilizing the region by increasing military deployments and called these actions “the greatest source of instability for peace and stability in the South China Sea.” The tension between the U.S. and China in this strategic area, through which a third of global trade passes, has intensified concerns over the possibility of a larger regional conflict.
Within ASEAN, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his frustrations over China’s harassment of Filipino vessels, accusing China of violating international law and pushing for a South China Sea code of conduct. While ASEAN members and China agreed to work toward this binding code by 2026, disputes over the agreement’s scope and enforcement have slowed progress.
Blinken’s remarks extended to broader security issues, including U.S. support for Taiwan and concerns over China’s military aggression in the Taiwan Strait. These comments are part of the U.S.’s recent efforts to bolster ties with Taiwan, including new military aid, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which claims the island as its own.
The ASEAN summit also provided a platform to address other pressing challenges in Asia and beyond. Blinken and ASEAN leaders discussed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where a brutal civil war has displaced millions and left a third of the population in need of assistance. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the worsening situation, urging ASEAN to work closely with the U.N. special envoy to reach a resolution.
Turning to the Middle East crisis, Blinken acknowledged the U.S. “legitimate” support for Israel’s actions against Hezbollah but stressed the need to protect civilians in conflict areas like Lebanon and Gaza. Blinken condemned recent attacks on U.N. peacekeepers, specifically two Indonesian soldiers injured by Israeli fire, and called for immediate protection of all peacekeepers operating in conflict zones. Guterres echoed these sentiments, stating, “The level of death and destruction in Gaza has no comparison to any other situation I have seen.”
The discussions underscored ASEAN’s careful diplomatic approach toward China, its largest trading partner, with leaders aiming to balance economic cooperation with regional security concerns. Despite the complex web of alliances and conflicting interests, ASEAN remains committed to working toward peaceful resolutions, focusing on cooperation through trade and mutual interests.
With a strong stance on China and a broad commitment to diplomacy, Blinken emphasized the U.S.’s role in maintaining regional stability, underscoring America’s commitment to its allies and its dedication to supporting international norms amid rising tensions in Southeast Asia and beyond.
