Indonesian President Urges ASEAN to Stand Strong Amid Rising US-China Tensions in Asia-Pacific
The tensions between the US and China are rising over the Asia-Pacific region emphasizing at the ASEAN summit Indonesia's President Widodo called for unity within ASEAN to address regional matters such as the South China Sea dispute and Myanmar crisis.
As tensions between the United States and China continue to escalate over various issues in the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cannot become a proxy for other countries.
Foreign ministers from ASEAN have gathered in Jakarta to discuss regional matters, including the disputed South China Sea and the crisis in Myanmar.
The contentious disagreements over the South China Sea have divided ASEAN member states, with some backing China's claims and others supporting the US opposition to China's growing assertiveness.
President Widodo stressed the importance of unity and solidarity within ASEAN to maintain peace and stability in the region.
He also emphasized the need to consistently uphold international law. The tension between the world's two largest economies has escalated over the recent years, leading to conflicts on various fronts.
The Jakarta meetings have seen the participation of both China and the United States, and their top diplomats met to address cybersecurity breaches and improve bilateral relations.
The Myanmar crisis has also posed challenges for ASEAN in terms of how to engage with the pro-China junta. ASEAN issued a communique condemning the violence in Myanmar and reiterated the importance of a five-point peace plan agreed with the junta.
However, ASEAN's efforts have been met with mixed responses, and Myanmar's rulers have been excluded from top-level summits due to a lack of progress in implementing the peace plan.
Thailand has taken a separate approach by hosting informal talks with Myanmar's foreign minister and engaging with deposed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. However, Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, has questioned the Thai minister's statements and expressed skepticism regarding the dialogue to end the crisis.
The situation in the Asia-Pacific region remains complex and sensitive, with the US-China rivalry, the South China Sea disputes, and the Myanmar crisis at the forefront. ASEAN plays a crucial role in fostering unity, adhering to international law, and finding peaceful resolutions to regional challenges.
