ASEAN summit concludes with focus on Myanmar crisis and South China Sea tensions News
Office of Indonesian Foreign Minister, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
ASEAN summit concludes with focus on Myanmar crisis and South China Sea tensions

The ASEAN summit concluded after three days of discussions on Saturday, centring on the violence in Myanmar and tensions in the South China Sea. Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith chaired the meeting, which included representatives from the US, Russia, and China.

The summit placed significant emphasis on Myanmar’s post-coup humanitarian crisis. ASEAN issued a joint statement urging immediate action to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need safely and transparently. They condemned the ongoing violence against civilians and infrastructure and called on all parties to stop indiscriminate attacks. Since the country’s military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has seen severe unrest, including over 5,400 deaths, more than 27,000 arrests, and over 3 million displaced individuals. ASEAN’s “five-point consensus,” which aims to end violence in Myanmar and facilitate dialogue, has yet to be fully implemented.

In addition, the summit considered tensions in the South China Sea. ASEAN reaffirmed its support for freedom of navigation and advocated for the full implementation of a code of conduct under negotiation with China. The South China Sea disputes involve several ASEAN members, such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. Recently, an agreement between the Philippines and China allowed a supply trip to a disputed area without interference, potentially easing tensions.

Furthermore, the summit highlighted geopolitical issues. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions, while the growing cooperation between China and Russia also came into focus. Wang Yi voiced concerns about the potential deployment of US missile systems in the Philippines, suggesting it could escalate regional tensions.

Earlier in April, ASEAN foreign ministers called for a ceasefire in Myanmar amid escalating violence.

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