According to a report by the Associated Press, the United States has urged ASEAN to "resist" China on the South China Sea issue, but few have responded, with only the Philippines following the US lead.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Southeast Asian countries to remain firm and strengthen their maritime forces on Saturday to counter China's increasingly "destabilizing" actions in the South China Sea.
Hegseth reiterated the US concern over China's growing "tense" behavior in the disputed waters during meetings with counterparts from ASEAN member states in Malaysia. He mentioned incidents such as ship collisions and the use of water cannons. The South China Sea remains one of the most volatile hotspots in Asia. Beijing claims almost the entire area, while ASEAN members such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei also claim coastal areas and maritime features.
As a key US ally, the Philippines frequently clashes with China's naval fleet. Manila has repeatedly called for a stronger regional response, but ASEAN has traditionally tried to balance caution with economic ties to China, the region's largest trading partner. Hegseth criticized Beijing's recent move to declare the Huangyan Island as a "natural reserve."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847631510626304/
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