Vientiane, Laos — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is grappling with the ongoing crisis in Myanmar as well as escalating maritime disputes with China, as high-level meetings continue through Saturday.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been plunged into turmoil, with over 5,400 people killed and more than 27,000 arrested, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The conflict has displaced over 3 million people, and the numbers are rising daily as clashes intensify between the military and various ethnic militias and opposition forces.
In response, ASEAN has barred Myanmar from sending political representatives to top-level meetings. Instead, bureaucrats like Aung Kyaw Moe, the permanent secretary of Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, are attending this week’s discussions.
Humanitarian assistance is a key focus. Thailand, heavily involved in providing aid due to its long border with Myanmar, is ready to support the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management’s next phase of aid delivery.
Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Cooperation
ASEAN’s diplomatic efforts have been slow but continuous. Laos, the current ASEAN chair, has sent a special envoy to Myanmar to meet with the military council, aiming to advance peace plans. ASEAN has also introduced a trilateral consultation mechanism among its current, past, and future chairs Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia to ensure continuity in addressing the Myanmar crisis.
Dulyapak Preecharush, a professor at Bangkok’s Thammasat University, emphasized the need for collaboration among countries bordering Myanmar, including China, India, and Thailand, to reach a consensus before involving other nations.
ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei are embroiled in maritime disputes with China over its extensive claims in the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for international shipping, with an estimated $5 trillion in trade passing through annually.
Tensions have escalated, particularly between China and the Philippines, with Chinese coast guard forces using aggressive tactics to block supplies to Filipino personnel. However, a recent agreement between China and the Philippines aims to reduce confrontations and establish a mutually acceptable arrangement without conceding territorial claims.
This deal has sparked hope for similar arrangements between China and other ASEAN countries to avoid clashes while unresolved territorial issues persist. ASEAN is also working with China to develop a South China Sea code of conduct, which is expected to be a significant topic in the Vientiane talks.
As ASEAN navigates these complex issues, the outcomes of this week’s meetings could have profound implications for regional stability and cooperation.
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