Asia-Pacific leaders voiced concern over the situation in the resource-rich South China Sea at a regional summit on Saturday, a Japanese government official said, as security tensions between the United States and China have shown no sign of easing.

The virtual meeting of the 18-member East Asia Summit took place for the first time following the U.S. presidential election earlier this month. Many Asian countries have begun to consider how to build ties with the upcoming administration of Democrat President-elect Joe Biden.

Incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump was absent for the fourth straight year, with national security adviser Robert O'Brien participating on his behalf. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also joined the online meeting.