Southeast Asia urges US, China to avoid provocation over Taiwan

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is calling for calm in the Taiwan Strait, urging against any "provocative action" in the wake of a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that has infuriated Beijing.

In a rare statement on such issues from the 10-nation group, some of whose members drift more toward China in allegiance and some toward the United States, Asean foreign ministers meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia said on Thursday that they were concerned the situation could "destabilize the region and eventually could lead to miscalculation, serious confrontation, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences among major powers."