Sec. 105. United States-ASEAN strategic partnership
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/bill/115/s/2736/is/section-105·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of the Senate that the United States should— support and affirm the elevation of the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relationship to a strategic partnership; recommit to ASEAN centrality by helping build a strong, stable, politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially responsible community of nations that has common rules, norms, procedures, and standards which are consistent with international law and the principles of a rules-based Indo-Pacific community; urge ASEAN to continue its efforts to foster greater integration among its members; recognize the value of— ASEAN engagement with economic, political, and security partners within Asia and elsewhere, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan; and strategic economic initiatives, such as the U.S.-ASEAN Connect, which demonstrate a commitment to ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic Community and build upon economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region; support efforts by the nations comprising ASEAN— to address maritime and territorial disputes in a constructive manner; and to pursue claims through peaceful, diplomatic, and legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms, consistent with international law, including through the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to further promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region; support efforts by United States partners and allies in ASEAN— to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain awareness; to protect unhindered access to, and use of, international waterways in the Asia-Pacific region that are critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce; to counter piracy; to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such as the trafficking of persons, goods, and drugs; and to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region; and urge ASEAN member states to develop a common approach to reaffirm the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling with respect to the case between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.