ASEAN wary of tensions arising from US House Speaker's Taiwan visit
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has expressed​ concern over developments relating to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, which led to Chinese fighter jets crossing the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 3, ASEAN said it is worried about the "international and regional volatility" in the adjacent East Asian region, which could "destabilize" the area and lead to "miscalculation, serious confrontation, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences among major powers."
ASEAN, which includes the Philippines, called on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and "refrain from provocative action and for upholding the principles" in the United Nations Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
"We reiterate ASEAN Member States' support for their respective One-China Policy," ASEAN added in a statement that was supported by the Philippine government, according to Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza.
With the world "in dire need of wisdom and responsibility" of all leaders, ASEAN said "we should act together."
It also said that the group of ten nations is ready "to play a constructive role in facilitating peaceful dialogue between all parties, including through utilizing ASEAN-led mechanisms to de-escalate tension, to safeguard peace, security and development in our region."
On Tuesday, Pelosi landed in Taiwan, defying warnings and military threats from China, which claims territory over the self-governing island.