TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked its partners for supporting peace in the South China Sea at ASEAN Summits in Laos beginning Oct. 6

During the week-long event, the leaders and officials from the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India expressed concern over growing instability in the region, MOFA said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed China’s activities in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait in his meetings with ASEAN officials. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said Tokyo was concerned about “intensifying militarization and coercive activities” in the South China Sea and also stressed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

In its joint statement with ASEAN, South Korea affirmed the importance of regional security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Maintaining peace and stability takes work” and pledged to cooperate with partners to achieve regional peace.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized, "Peace, security, and stability of the South China Sea are in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region." MOFA said these positions align with Taiwan's consistent South China Sea policy.

“Taiwan will continue to collaborate with like-minded partners under its ‘comprehensive diplomacy’ to uphold shared values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights,” MOFA said. It urged the international community to adhere to international law and UNCLOS to uphold the rules-based international order and regional peace.