Southeast Asian leaders convened in Laos for the ASEAN summit, focusing on Myanmar’s civil war and South China Sea tensions. The summit is attended by new leaders and major global powers, with discussions anticipated to address regional cooperation, U.S.-China relations, and the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Despite the significant challenges, analysts suggest limited prospects for resolution as national interests may take precedence over collective action.
Leaders of Southeast Asia convened in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday for an annual summit dedicated to addressing the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar and the escalating territorial conflicts in the South China Sea. These issues pose significant challenges to the credibility of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The summit will also include dialogues with major global powers such as China, the United States, and Russia, all of which are vying for influence in the region. The current geopolitical climate is expected to prompt discussions about the rising violence in the Middle East, even though Southeast Asia has primarily experienced only indirect repercussions. Despite its historical limitations in influence, ASEAN has frequently served as a forum for superpowers seeking to engage with Southeast Asia. The ten ASEAN member states—Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos—are anticipated to engage with regional partners like Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia on various topics, including economic collaboration, climate change, and energy security. In his opening remarks, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone welcomed new leaders from Thailand and Singapore, emphasizing Laos’s commitment to fostering cooperation among member states amid geopolitical and economic challenges. He stated, “We help one another, and work together the ASEAN way.” Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 38, and Singapore’s Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong after two decades, represent a generational shift in leadership. While Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo does not attend, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin will represent the nation. The forum also marks the inaugural overseas trip for Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is attending in place of President Joe Biden, while China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang. The complicated U.S.-China relationship remains at the forefront of the agenda, particularly regarding Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and its implications for regional security. ASEAN member states, particularly Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, have overlapping territorial claims with China, which asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. Progress on a non-binding code of conduct to regulate behavior in these waters has been slow. Incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels have heightened tensions, and Vietnam has accused Chinese forces of attacking its fishermen in contested areas. Analysts suggest that little progress may be made in these discussions, as member states engaged economically with China may prioritize their bilateral relations over a unified ASEAN stance. Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman from Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies noted, “It is the preference for conflict avoidance while getting geostrategic benefits where possible. In reality, national interests matter more than regional interests.” The summit also faces scrutiny due to the crisis in Myanmar, where violence has resulted in nearly 6,000 deaths and dislocation of over 3 million people since the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February 2021. Myanmar’s junta has not adequately implemented an ASEAN peace plan aimed at achieving a ceasefire and mediation amid ongoing conflict with pro-democracy groups and ethnic rebels. An upcoming informal consultation regarding Myanmar, hosted by Thailand, will be open to all ASEAN members, although the attendance of Myanmar’s representatives remains uncertain. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balangura asserted that Thailand is ready to facilitate a coordinated ASEAN effort towards peace in Myanmar. Myanmar’s decision to send its Foreign Ministry permanent secretary to the summit—its first high-level participation since 2021—has been met with skepticism. Experts caution that this may indicate ASEAN’s fatigue in addressing the crisis, with Lina Alexandra from Indonesia’s Center for Strategic and International Studies commenting that significant breakthroughs on the issue are unlikely.
The ASEAN summit serves as a crucial platform for Southeast Asian nations to collaboratively address pressing geopolitical issues affecting the region. The civil war in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea are particularly significant, impacting both regional stability and ASEAN’s credibility. Additionally, the involvement of major global powers—such as the U.S. and China—heightens the stakes, as their interests often conflict with those of ASEAN nations. The outcomes of the summit will potentially shape the diplomatic landscape of Southeast Asia, influencing relations not only within the region but also with external powers.
The ASEAN summit in Laos has highlighted the persistent challenges of addressing the Myanmar crisis and the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Despite the presence of new leadership and discussions with influential global powers, the ability of ASEAN to forge a cohesive response remains in question. The ongoing conflicts and the diverging national interests of member states reflect the complexities inherent in regional diplomacy. As such, the summit underscores the necessity for collaboration and strategic dialogue among ASEAN members to navigate these pressing geopolitical dilemmas effectively.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
