Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Australia called for non-militarization and the immediate conclusion of negotiations on the code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea amid the alleged continuous construction activities by China.

“We emphasize the importance of non-militarization and the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may complicate the situation,” Asean and Australian leaders said in a joint statement called the Sydney declaration.