Australia and the RoK recognize that the stability of the Indo-Pacific depends on adherence to international law in the maritime domain, including in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam). The two leaders underscored that disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They reaffirmed the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and over-flight and agreed to strengthen coordination to uphold these principles, which must not be undermined in the context of increasing risks of instability in the maritime domain, according to the statement.
They further announced they would explore a package of cyber and critical technology initiatives to support Southeast Asia’s digital revolution, and welcomed the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding on a Digital Cooperation Initiative in Southeast Asia.