The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been calling for restraint and peaceful resolution of maritime regional conflicts for ages. ASEAN should do more to actually see restraint in aggressive activities to stake maritime claims in disputed waters. ASEAN has had a regional agreement in place with China since 2002 on maintaining the status quo in the South China Sea. Progress has been slow in certain areas such as economic integration, but the initiative is moving along. Where the grouping has made no progress is in supporting its members in maritime disputes.

Source: Philippine Star June 23, 2019 16:00 UTC