Asean unity and centrality are essential to maintain peace in the South China Sea, a vital maritime corridor linking north and east Asia with the rest of the world, defence minister Khaled Nordin said.
Khaled said the South China Sea must remain a “sea of peace, friendship and prosperity”, and not a source of tension or conflict.
For the bloc, security should be a collective endeavour, he said, adding that a challenge to one Asean member state was a challenge to the whole region.
“That is why unity and centrality are essential, and Asean will continue to be the anchor of regional order by engaging all voices and fostering inclusion,” he said at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China yesterday.
Khaled said platforms such as the Asean defence ministers’ meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus build confidence, promote cooperation, and ensure that the bloc remains at the heart of regional security.
He said continuously revitalising and strengthening Asean solidarity was essential to keep the waters peaceful, and maintain overall regional stability.
He pointed out, however, that solidarity did not mean mobilising military strength.
“It means standing together and sending a clear message, (that) when one of us is tested, all of us would also feel the pressure and challenge,” he said.
He said solidarity can be expressed through joint exercises, military exchanges, and confidence-building measures as well as Asean’s role in peaceful mediation and resolution.
Khaled also said peace and security require openness and honesty, adding that rhetoric and diplomatic jargon would not help build lasting trust.
He said there was a need for more clarity and genuine understanding with the rise of complicated challenges such as complex security threats, shifting geopolitics, and emerging technologies.
“This is why we will continue to speak openly and frankly when engaging in peace dialogues. Only through transparency and sincerity can trust flourish and security cooperation succeed,” he said.
