ASEAN calls for open straits as US-Iran war affects region

Southeast Asian foreign ministers called for freedom of navigation in international straits as they ended a week of meetings in Manila that was largely overshadowed by the US-Iran war.

A joint communique from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations repeated calls for self-restraint in the Middle East conflict, which has had economic effects across the region. The statement included new language on “freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits” and separately called for “unimpeded” passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN envoys this week that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a “dangerous precedent”. He said a basic principle of freedom of navigation was under threat.

The source said the closure of the strait after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran has left many in the region dealing with energy shortages and price increases. The import-dependent Philippines has declared a national emergency.

The communique referred to energy cooperation among ASEAN states, but no progress was announced on earlier proposals such as a regional energy grid or a fuel-sharing scheme. Southeast Asia is also home to two of the world’s busiest shipping routes, the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Singapore.

The meetings began on Tuesday after new clashes between China and the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro said at a closing news conference that she believed both sides were focused on completing a long-discussed code of conduct by the end of the year. She said there was political will to finish the agreement.

China’s ambassador to Manila, Jing Quan, said earlier in the week that the recent clash at sea would not affect efforts to conclude the code talks by year’s end. He said the pact would not deal with bilateral issues such as China’s territorial disputes with the Philippines, but would focus on rules of engagement for the waterway.

Analysts have long warned that any document acceptable to both Beijing and ASEAN member states would lack strong enforcement measures.

Hours before the meetings ended, the Philippine Coast Guard accused Chinese counterparts of firing water cannon and using a dangerous manoeuvre to block vessels carrying aid to Filipino fishermen near a disputed South China Sea reef. China said it had taken necessary measures to expel the Philippine vessels from its territorial waters.