In the Wilmington Declaration, Quad—comprising leaders from the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia—adopted its strongest language yet on China’s actions in the South and East China Seas. Without explicitly naming China, the group condemned the “militarization” of disputed areas and coercive tactics. The leaders reaffirmed support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and highlighted the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines, a decision China has refused to accept.
On Ukraine, Quad reiterated its commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.” They also emphasized the unacceptability of nuclear threats. In West Asia, the declaration condemned both the October 7 Hamas attacks and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The leaders called for a ceasefire and urged immediate release of hostages. Quad reaffirmed the two-state solution as vital for lasting peace, underscoring the need to prevent further regional escalation.
