Phnom Penh: Cambodian leader Hun Sen called for unity on Sunday, including representatives from China, Russia and the United States, saying the current state of world tension has affected everyone.
At the start of the East Asia Summit, the prime minister of the nation's rotating presidency of ASEAN said it is in everyone's interest for countries to work together to resolve conflicts amicably.
The remarks come at a time when regional tensions between the United States and China remain amid growing territorial ambitions of Taiwan and Beijing, as well as a Russian invasion of Ukraine that has disrupted global supply chains and Energy and food prices have increased abroad.
Also Read: Taiwan: Chinese fighter planes approach an island
Hun Sen expressed his desire for the leaders to adopt the spirit of "open and inclusive multilateralism, pragmatism and maintaining mutual respect in the face of existential and strategic challenges" without naming any specific country.
Inaugurating the meeting, he said, which is taking place alongside the ASEAN grouping's main summit, "many current challenges and tensions stem from our past toil in promoting sustainable development and creating more hardship in people's lives " becoming a hindrance."
This happened a day before the much-anticipated meeting of US Vice President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Bali, and participants included US Vice President Joe Biden and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
The meetings, which were also attended by leaders of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and other countries, were attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In a speech on Saturday, Vice President Joe Biden pledged that the US would cooperate with ASEAN, telling the group's leaders that "we are going to build a better future that we all want to see" Where American rival China is also trying. Strengthen your position.
Also Read: Joe Biden: US, Japan, and South Korea are "more connected than ever" regarding North Korea
He pledged to work with others to build a "free and open, stable and prosperous, resilient and secure" region. Biden cited climate and health security as two areas of cooperation.
“I look forward to continuing our work with ASEAN and each of you to address challenges from the South China Sea to Myanmar and to find innovative solutions to common challenges, to deepen peace and prosperity across the region.
Meanwhile, Li Keqiang said that amid the "turbulent" situation in terms of global security, "unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, economic and financial risks are rising, and global development is facing unprecedented challenges.
Also Read: Netanyahu is prepared to retake the reins of power in Israel.
Li stressed that the grouping should remain committed to promoting peace, stability, growth and prosperity in the region and beyond, and improving people's well-being "as one of East Asia's leading economies".