Australia and ASEAN call for South China Sea restraint, Gaza ceasefire

MELBOURNE/SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Australia and Southeast Asian nations ended a three day summit on Wednesday calling for restraint in the contested South China Sea and a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Australia hosted a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Melbourne to mark the 50th anniversary of its ties to the bloc, even as differences remained across the 10 members on China's plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.

A joint statement by Australia and ASEAN called for "rules-based" order in the Indo Pacific, as Beijing looks to increase its presence in the South China Sea.

"We recognise the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity," the statement said.

"We encourage all countries to avoid any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region."

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said that the situation in South China Sea was generally stable and China's position on the disputed area was consistent and clear.

"We will properly manage differences with the countries concerned and fully and effectively implement them with ASEAN countries," they said in response to questions about the ASEAN statement during a regular press briefing on Wednesday.

China's response came as the Philippines on Tuesday summoned Beijing's deputy chief of mission in Manila to protest at what it called "aggressive actions" by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion worth of ship-borne commerce each year, and the area is a major source of tension with the Philippines.

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