Leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) said today that their group ought to be vigilant that regional disputes would not turn to war-leaning struggles as Japan and The Philippines reaffirmed that they were committed to an air and naval navigation freedom amid increasing fears regarding China-proclaimed air defence zone. China's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), declared in November, over a group of islets in the East China Sea, have stirred concerns across China-neighboring Asian countries. The group's final communique, which is expected to come out Saturday, is most likely going to express ASEAN's support for an air and naval navigation freedom but might stop short of mentioning China in name.
