Southeast Asian leaders convened in Vientiane for the ASEAN summit, focusing on the civil war in Myanmar and South China Sea tensions. The summit, gathering member states and global powers like the US and China, aims to address significant regional challenges. Laos’s leadership emphasizes cooperation, despite ongoing complex issues affecting the bloc’s credibility, such as the Myanmar crisis and maritime disputes.
Southeast Asian leaders convened in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Wednesday for an annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The agenda prominently featured the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and escalating tensions in the South China Sea, two pressing issues that challenge the organization’s credibility. The summit serves as a platform for discussions not only among ASEAN member states but also with external powers including China, the United States, and Russia, all of which are vying for influence in the region. The geographical timing is significant, as discussions are likely to expand to include the multifaceted violence in the Middle East, from which Southeast Asia has primarily experienced indirect repercussions. Historically, ASEAN has faced limitations in its influence, even among its own members, although it has effectively facilitated dialogues with superpowers eager to engage with the region. The ten member nations – Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos – are set to engage in discussions that span economic growth, climate change, and energy concerns while also collaborating with additional regional dialogue partners such as Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia. Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, in his opening address, welcomed newly appointed leaders from Thailand and Singapore, emphasizing Laos’s desire to foster cooperative efforts amid geopolitical challenges. He stated, “We help one another, and work together the ASEAN way,” alluding to the centrality and unity ASEAN seeks to uphold among its members. The summit underscores the diverse leadership within ASEAN, highlighted by Thailand’s new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest leader at 38, and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who stepped in after two decades of leadership by Lee Hsien Loong. This year’s forum also takes place as President Joko Widodo of Indonesia sends his Vice President, Ma’ruf Amin, in light of his own succession. Significantly, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is representing President Biden at the meetings, with Premier Li Qiang attending on behalf of China. Relations between the U.S. and China remain strained, particularly over China’s assertiveness in the contentious South China Sea, a key discussion point during the summit. Dan Kritenbrink, the U.S. diplomat for Asia, noted potential dialogues regarding “China’s continuing to take a number of escalatory and irresponsible steps designed to coerce and pressure” the claimants in the South China Sea. Despite ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei having overlapping territorial claims with China, the framework for a non-binding code of conduct to manage relations in the maritime region has progressed slowly amid increased maritime confrontations, including clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels. The Myanmar crisis poses another significant hurdle for ASEAN. Following the ousting of the elected government in February 2021, approximately 6,000 individuals have been killed, and over 3 million displaced. Although Myanmar’s junta approved an ASEAN peace plan, it has not effectively implemented the provisions meant to mediate and cease hostilities. Thailand is poised to host informal consultations concerning the Myanmar situation in December, with the participation from Myanmar’s representatives still uncertain. Myanmar’s attendance at the summit was marked by the presence of Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Aung Kyaw Moe, representing the nation following a three-year exclusion from high-level political representation within ASEAN. Observers interpret his participation as a possible sign of ASEAN’s waning resolve in addressing the Myanmar calamity, with experts like Lina Alexandra implying limited prospects for constructive outcomes amid ongoing geopolitical dilemmas.
The ASEAN summit represents a critical response to persistent regional challenges, notably the civil unrest in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. These issues not only test the collaborative strength of ASEAN but also illuminate the complex interplay of regional and international diplomacy. The dynamics among ASEAN members and their interactions with influential global powers reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in light of rising assertiveness from China. Understanding these tensions is essential to comprehending ASEAN’s role and strategies in fostering stability and cooperation among its members and dialogue partners, especially in light of leadership changes across the region.
The ASEAN summit held in Laos serves as a crucial juncture for addressing the significant regional challenges faced by Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar and the South China Sea. With new leadership emerging, the need for cohesive cooperation among member states and effective dialogues with external powers is undeniable. The ongoing crises underscore ASEAN’s leadership credibility and its ability to navigate these complex geopolitical waters. Despite the immense challenges and the limited influence historically observed within the bloc, ASEAN’s approach to regional stability and economic collaboration continues to evolve.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
