Asean defence ministers on Thursday exchanged views on the situation in the South China Sea in which some members of the grouping and China are at odds.
A joint declaration signed by the ministers after the meeting said they commended the first maritime exercise between Asean and China conducted last year, and welcomed the Asean-US maritime exercise to be held later this year.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and former defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who chaired the meeting, said at a press conference that the ministers reiterated the importance of an early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea on a mutually agreed timeline soon.
The ministers also reaffirmed the importance of seeking a peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and avoiding actions that could further complicate the situation in the South China Sea.
The attendees agreed to study a Philippine proposal for guidelines on maritime conflict management "based on confidence building, preventive diplomacy, and peaceful tension management,'' said Gen Prawit, who was replaced by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as the defence minister in an announcement royally approved on Wednesday.
"We are stressing the importance of safeguarding peace, security and the freedom of sea and air navigation in the South China sea,'' he said. "We also see the importance of building trust, and refraining from acts that could further complicate the situation.''
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, which is a vital shipping lane and believed to have rich fishing grounds. Rival claimants in the dispute are Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, with Vietnam being vocal in opposing China's push for overlapping territorial claims.
Among six concept papers adopted by the ministers is one covering the terms of references tied to the "Our Eyes" initiative for sharing strategic information on terrorism and other non-traditional security threats.
The also signed the Joint Declaration of the Asean Defense Ministers on Sustainable Security, which emphasises the importance of working together to safeguard security and stability in the region, and their commitment to exploring new mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
Thailand, which holds the rotating chair of Asean this year, proposed new initiatives including improving the role of Asean defence establishments in supporting border management to address cross-border challenges.
Other issues discussed included border controls, terrorism and illegal fishing.
The participants agreed to study proposals for expanding a hotline to other regional powers in times of crisis; boosting the military role in border management and security; fighting terrorism through the timely exchange of strategic information; and raising awareness on the security implications of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
They agreed as well to strengthen cooperation in the field of military medicine.