Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Vientiane for the ASEAN summit on October 9, 2024, focusing on the Myanmar crisis and South China Sea tensions. Discussions will also include meeting with global powers like the US and China. Despite efforts to address these issues, ASEAN’s influence and ability to achieve significant outcomes remain in question, particularly given the ongoing violence in Myanmar and the territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.
Leaders from Southeast Asia convened in Vientiane, Laos, on October 9, 2024, to address pressing issues impacting the region, particularly the enduring civil conflict in Myanmar and ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The ASEAN summit is significant as it entails discussions not only among the ten member states — Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos — but also meetings with influential global powers such as China, the United States, and Russia, all vying for regional influence. The agenda of the summit is expected to encompass the escalating violence in the Middle East. While Southeast Asia has only been indirectly affected by these developments, the ramifications may still prompt discussions during the forum. Despite ASEAN’s historical limitations in influence, the summit serves as a crucial platform for dialogue among superpowers and regional partners such as Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia, where topics will also cover economic cooperation, climate change, and energy. In his inaugural address, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone welcomed new leaders, emphasizing a collaborative effort among ASEAN members to navigate geopolitical and economic hurdles. He stated, “We help one another, and work together the ASEAN way.” Amidst this collaboration, the summit marks the first international engagement for Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, following his confirmation just days prior. Notably, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to represent President Joe Biden, focusing on the frayed relations between the U.S. and China, especially regarding Beijing’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. Dan Kritenbrink, the U.S. diplomat for Asia, foresees discussions surrounding China-related matters, including ongoing disputes involving ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, as each country grapples with overlapping territorial claims. The Myanmar crisis remains high on the agenda, as over 6,000 individuals have perished, and millions have been displaced since the military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration in February 2021. Although Myanmar’s military junta has expressed willingness to engage with an ASEAN peace plan advocating for ceasefire and mediation, tangible progress remains elusive amid continuous conflict with pro-democracy factions and ethnic insurgents. Thailand is poised to host an informal meeting on the Myanmar crisis in December; however, the attendance from Myanmar remains uncertain as the junta’s representation continues to provoke criticism within and outside ASEAN.
The article addresses two of the most significant challenges facing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — the civil unrest in Myanmar and territorial tensions in the South China Sea. The ASEAN summit, held annually, provides a forum for member nations to discuss such issues, alongside meetings with global leaders. The complexities of Myanmar’s internal conflict, marked by widespread violence and political instability, contrast sharply with the geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, where several ASEAN members contest China’s expansive territorial claims. The summit reflects ASEAN’s struggle to maintain unity and credibility in addressing these dual crises while balancing relationships with major powers like the U.S. and China.
In conclusion, the ASEAN summit in Vientiane opens a critical dialogue among Southeast Asian leaders to tackle the profound crises in Myanmar and the South China Sea. While the summit aims to forge stronger cooperation among regional members and engage global powers, challenges persist regarding the fulfillment of peace agreements in Myanmar and addressing assertive territorial claims in the South China Sea. The effectiveness of ASEAN in navigating these issues will reflect its ongoing relevance and credibility as a regional bloc amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
