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Top diplomats from ASEAN , U.S., China meet to discuss Myanmar crisis, maritime disputes
The Hindu
Top diplomats from Southeast Asia meet to address South China Sea tensions, Myanmar crisis, and regional security issues.
Top diplomats from Southeast Asia convened on July 27 in the Laotian capital with their powerful dialogue partners in the last of the three-day regional talks that have grappled with tensions over territorial claims in the South China Sea, escalating fighting in Myanmar, and regional rivalry.
Meetings on July 27 will bring together in the same room allies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India and Australia — to bolster their relationships and discuss key security issues and other regional affairs.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived July 27 in Vientiane to meet with the ASEAN foreign ministers. He is also expected to meet on the sidelines with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, as both countries are looking to expand their influence in the region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also in Vientiane, and already held direct talks with Mr. Wang on July 25.
Participants in these meetings represent either critical U.S. allies and partners, and Washington’s two largest rivals, Moscow and Beijing, who have grown closer over the past two years, prompting deep concerns about their combined global influence.
Indonesia said it emphasized in their opening meetings on Thursday that it’s important the bloc doesn’t get drawn in as both China and the U.S. look to expand their influence in the region.
Among other issues, Mr. Blinken will discuss economic cooperation, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea during his trip to Vientiane, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.
ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have conflicts with China over its claim of sovereignty over virtually all of the South China Sea, one of the world’s most crucial waterways for shipping. Many worry that direct confrontations there could lead to broader conflict. Indonesia has also expressed concern about what it sees as Beijing’s encroachment on its exclusive economic zone.