US President Donald Trump (left) and  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo: THX/VNA)

The statement said the two sides are committed to upholding freedom of navigation and over-flight and exercising self-restraint. They stressed the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in the East Sea in line with international law, as reflected in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They further underscored the need to continue pursuing confidence-building measures to increase mutual trust and confidence, and to refrain from actions that will escalate tensions, including militarization.

On Monday, Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque said ASEAN countries are seeking the peaceful resolution of East Sea disputes and hope a code of conduct will be signed soon.