Leaders from Southeast Asia convened for the annual ASEAN summit in Laos, focusing on Myanmar’s civil war and South China Sea tensions. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is attending in place of President Biden. Issues include pressure on Myanmar’s military government and the detrimental situation in the South China Sea, as ASEAN tries to navigate relations amid U.S.-China frictions.
On Wednesday, leaders from Southeast Asia convened for the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Vientiane, Laos, which is centered on pressing issues such as the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar and the escalating territorial tensions in the South China Sea. The summit is scheduled to progress into discussions with major global powers, including China, the United States, and Russia, who are vying for influence within the region. While ASEAN’s historical influence has been somewhat constrained even among its ten-member states—Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos—the forum serves as a crucial conduit for dialogue with international superpowers. In his welcoming address, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized the importance of collective support and cooperation among ASEAN nations, stating, “We help one another, and work together the ASEAN way.” He highlighted the need to reinforce ASEAN unity while engaging with external dialogue partners regarding various topics, including economic cooperation and climate change. Significantly, new leaders attended this year’s summit, including the bloc’s youngest leader, 38-year-old Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also marked his debut at the summit after succeeding long-serving Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in May. Myanmar’s representation has improved slightly, as the country sent Aung Kyaw Moe, the Foreign Ministry’s permanent secretary, its first high-level official to attend an ASEAN summit in three years. However, doubts regarding the effectiveness of ASEAN’s influence remain, particularly given the continued violence and instability in Myanmar following the military coup in 2021. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join the summit discussions, as President Joe Biden will not be attending. Among the key issues on the agenda is the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and China, especially concerning China’s aggressive posture in the South China Sea. This area is subject to numerous overlapping claims between ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, in addition to Taiwan, against China’s expansive territorial assertions. Although ASEAN has attempted to draft a code of conduct for the South China Sea, progress has been painstakingly slow. The region continues to witness heightened clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels this year, alongside ongoing incidents involving Chinese forces and Vietnamese fishermen in contested waters. Countries such as the Philippines, a long-time ally of the U.S., have criticized their ASEAN counterparts for not sufficiently opposing Chinese incursions into their territorial waters. Additionally, Blinken is poised to urge ASEAN members to maintain pressure on Myanmar’s military government to facilitate genuine peace negotiations, particularly in light of the impending elections which the U.S. views as potentially exacerbating violence rather than promoting inclusivity and reconciliation. Myanmar’s ongoing crisis, marked by a fractious civil war between the military and various pro-democracy factions, is expected to remain a significant test of ASEAN’s credibility as discussions unfold. Thailand has planned an informal regional consultation on Myanmar in December, but attendance from Myanmar remains uncertain. Observers have noted that allowing a Myanmar representative to the summit may suggest a retreat from ASEAN’s prior stance against legitimizing the military regime, raising concerns over a perceived fatigue in dealing with the crisis.
The Assembly of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) faces significant challenges as it gathers annually to address critical regional issues. The civil war in Myanmar persists as a major concern for ASEAN since the military coup in 2021 ousted the democratically elected government, leading to widespread turmoil. The bloc also grapples with burgeoning territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where China’s claims conflict with those of its neighboring ASEAN member states. Historically, ASEAN has struggled to exert influence over its members, which complicates its collective response to these issues at an international level. The summit reflects ongoing efforts to engage superpowers while seeking solutions amid regional instability and showcasing cooperation among ASEAN members despite their differences. The discussions during the summit highlight the delicate balance ASEAN must maintain between mitigating regional conflicts, promoting stability, and upholding its credibility on the global stage.
In summary, the ASEAN summit in Laos serves as a critical platform for Southeast Asian leaders to address pressing geopolitical challenges, including the civil conflict in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The presence of new leaders and significant participation from global powers indicates a concerted effort to navigate these complexities. However, ongoing tensions and differing national interests underscore the challenges ASEAN faces in achieving effective resolutions and maintaining its credibility within the region. As the dialogues progress, the outcomes remain uncertain, with observers skeptical of ASEAN’s capability to foster meaningful change amid these pressing issues.
Original Source: www.thespec.com
