Australia and Asean call for restraint in South China Sea, ceasefire in Gaza

On the lookout: Chinese maritime militia vessels patrolling near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. — Reuters

Australia and South-East Asian nations ended a three-day summit calling for restraint in the contested South China Sea and a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Australia hosted a summit with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) in Melbourne to mark the 50th anniversary of its ties with the bloc, even as differences remained across the 10 members on China’s plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.