Southeast Asian leaders met on October 9, 2024, in Laos for an ASEAN summit, focusing on the Myanmar crisis and South China Sea tensions. Discussions included engagements with global powers like the U.S. and China. New leadership in ASEAN and the ongoing challenges with Myanmar and territorial disputes are critical topics, with leaders seeking to enhance regional cooperation amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
On October 9, 2024, leaders from Southeast Asia convened in Vientiane, Laos, for an ASEAN summit that primarily aimed to address two pressing issues: the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar and the escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The summit represents an opportunity for the ten member states—Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos—to strengthen regional cooperation and engage in discussions with major global powers such as China, the United States, and Russia, which are vying for influence in this dynamic area. The discussions are further complicated by the international implications of the Middle Eastern situation, although Southeast Asia’s involvement remains limited. Historically, ASEAN’s impact has been constrained, yet the forum serves as a crucial diplomatic platform for superpowers interested in the region. Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, in his opening remarks, expressed a commitment to collaboration amid geopolitical challenges, stating, “We help one another, and work together the ASEAN way. We will discuss and strengthen cooperation between ASEAN members and other dialogue partners, along with upholding the unity and centrality of ASEAN.” The summit also marks the introduction of new leadership among member states: Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest leader in ASEAN at 38 years old, and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong commenced their terms this year. While Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo is absent due to domestic transitions, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin represents the nation. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be present, standing in for President Biden, alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Frayed relations between the U.S. and China over disputes in the South China Sea are anticipated to be a significant topic during the discussions. According to Dan Kritenbrink, the top U.S. diplomat for Asia, various issues pertaining to China are “likely to come up in the context of the ASEAN meetings, including the situation in the South China Sea… designed to coerce and pressure many in the South China Sea claimants.” Several ASEAN member states, including Vietnam and the Philippines, have conflicting claims with China, which maintains an aggressive stance in asserting its sovereignty over much of the South China Sea. Despite ongoing negotiations for a code of conduct to manage these disputes, progress has been sluggish, as evidenced by repeated clashes between Chinese and regional vessels. Moreover, the Myanmar crisis remains a focal concern, with nearly 6,000 fatalities reported since the military coup against Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February 2021. Although the junta has accepted an ASEAN peace initiative, reality diverges significantly, as armed conflict persists across the nation. Myanmar’s representation at the summit includes Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Aung Kyaw Moe, marking a rare appearance by a high-level official since ASEAN’s restrictions in 2021. Experts suggest that this could signal a compromise by ASEAN in addressing the ongoing crisis, although substantive resolutions appear improbable at this juncture. Additionally, Thailand plans to host an informal consultation on Myanmar in December, furthering regional discourse on the matter, albeit with uncertain participation from Myanmar’s involvement. With these complexities, ASEAN aims to navigate multifaceted challenges while striving for unity and stability in the region.
The current summit illustrates ASEAN’s ongoing struggle with critical issues affecting its member states, especially internal conflicts such as Myanmar’s civil war and external pressures surrounding territorial claims in the South China Sea. As a regional organization comprising ten nations, ASEAN faces challenges in maintaining unity and credibility amidst varying national interests and geopolitical influences from larger powers like China and the United States. Historically, ASEAN has engaged in diplomatic dialogues but has struggled to enforce collective actions decisively, particularly in crises that directly test its commitments to peace and partnership. Recent leadership changes within member states underscore a potential shift in dynamics as the bloc seeks to address its pressing concerns while enhancing regional alliances and autonomy in global discussions.
In conclusion, the ASEAN summit in Laos serves as a critical platform for leaders to address the dual crises affecting Southeast Asia: the civil unrest in Myanmar and the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. With new leadership emerging in several member nations and the participation of key global powers, the discussions are poised to shape regional strategies. However, analysts caution that genuine progress on these issues may be limited due to the complex interplay of national interests and the overarching influence of major powers. The ongoing developments necessitate a careful balance between maintaining regional solidarity and addressing the individual concerns of member states, thereby reinforcing ASEAN’s role in regional and global politics.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
