World Leaders Unite in Jakarta to Tackle Rising Tensions Amid Fears of New Cold War
World leaders discuss contentious issues at ASEAN summits in Jakarta, including China's opposition to a new Cold War and concerns about US-backed blocs forming on China's doorstep. ASEAN refrains from confronting China on disputes in the South China Sea.
World leaders gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a series of summits between ASEAN and major powers, including China, Japan, and South Korea. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of avoiding a new Cold War and urged countries to handle differences and disputes appropriately. He called for opposition to taking sides, bloc confrontation, and a new Cold War. Li's comments came amid concerns about US-backed blocs forming on China's doorstep and disputes over the South China Sea.
The ASEAN members also discussed the issue of land reclamations and serious incidents in the disputed region. ASEAN leaders expressed concern but refrained from confronting China to avoid angering Beijing. The summit also addressed other regional issues, such as North Korea's military cooperation and the situation in Myanmar. The meetings served as an opportunity for big powers to lobby the ASEAN bloc and for rivalries among them to play out. The summits preceded the East Asia Summit and the G20 summit, where broader geopolitical issues were expected to be discussed.
