Why did Russia and China block the East Asia Summit statement?

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Russia and China Blocked East Asia Summit Statement Due to Disagreements Over South China Sea Language

Russia and China prevented the adoption of a consensus statement at the East Asia Summit, primarily due to objections regarding the phrasing related to the South China Sea. Southeast Asian nations, as part of ASEAN, had drafted the statement, presenting it as a final proposal. Despite support from the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, both Russia and China refused to proceed with the document.
Disagreement Over South China Sea Wording

The core of the disagreement centred on how the draft statement addressed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the broader international environment. A US official indicated that the proposed text went further than the previous year's statement, specifically referencing a 2023 UN resolution asserting that UNCLOS establishes the legal framework for all ocean activities. Additionally, an unagreed sub-clause in the draft highlighted challenges to the regional environment, explicitly mentioning the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Accusations of Politicisation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the declaration was not adopted because of persistent attempts by the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to transform it into a purely political statement. This perspective suggests a view that the draft was being steered towards broader geopolitical agendas rather than focusing on regional consensus.
China's Position on the South China Sea

China, which claims nearly all of the South China Sea, has intensified pressure on other claimants, including several ASEAN member states. While China states its support for a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, it does not recognise a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its extensive claims under UNCLOS. Chinese Premier Li Qiang reiterated that countries outside the region should respect and support the joint efforts of China and regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

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Why did Russia and China block the East Asia Summit statement?

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