ASEAN Summit: Promoting Peace, Stability, and Prosperity Amid Myanmar and South China Sea Challenges

The ASEAN summit, held over three days and concluding on Saturday, brought together key international representatives, including those from the US, Russia, and China, to address critical regional issues. Chaired by Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the summit primarily focused on the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in post-coup Myanmar and the persistent territorial disputes in the South China Sea. With the backdrop of global geopolitical shifts and regional security concerns, the discussions underscored ASEAN’s role in promoting stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Myanmar Humanitarian Crisis:

• ASEAN issued a joint statement urging immediate and transparent humanitarian aid delivery in Myanmar.
• The organization condemned ongoing violence against civilians and infrastructure.
• Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has experienced severe unrest:
  • Over 5,400 deaths.
  • More than 27,000 arrests.
  • Over 3 million individuals displaced.
• The “five-point consensus” by ASEAN, aimed at ending violence and promoting dialogue, remains unimplemented.

South China Sea Tensions:

• ASEAN reaffirmed its support for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
• The summit advocated for the full implementation of a code of conduct under negotiation with China.
• Several ASEAN members, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, are involved in disputes over the region.
• A recent agreement between the Philippines and China facilitated an unimpeded supply trip to a disputed area, potentially easing tensions.

Geopolitical Issues:

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions.
• The growing cooperation between China and Russia was highlighted.
• Wang Yi expressed concerns about potential US missile systems deployment in the Philippines, suggesting it could heighten regional tensions.

In April, ASEAN foreign ministers had called for a ceasefire in Myanmar in response to escalating violence, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the crisis