US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ahead of a significant meeting with his Chinese counterpart, called on Southeast Asian nations to address Beijing's "escalating and unlawful actions" in the South China Sea. Speaking to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers, Blinken also described the ongoing civil war in Myanmar as "heartbreaking" and stressed the importance of regional cooperation on global issues like the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as North Korea's missile programs.
Despite criticizing China for its actions against the Philippines, a US defense ally, in the South China Sea, Blinken praised both countries for their diplomatic efforts. This comes after the Philippines successfully resupplied its troops stationed in a contested area at the Second Thomas Shoal, an operation that has long been a point of contention with China.
“We are pleased to take note of the successful resupply today of the Second Thomas Shoal, which is the product of an agreement reached between the Philippines and China,” Blinken told ASEAN members. “We applaud that and hope and expect to see that it continues going forward.”
Dire Situation in Gaza
Blinken will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi after the security-focused ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos, attended by top diplomats from major powers including Russia, Australia, Japan, the European Union, and Britain. Blinken emphasized the US's ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and pursue lasting peace and security.
Echoing Blinken's sentiments, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi highlighted the urgent need for sustainable peace, stating, "We cannot continue closing our eyes to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza."
Myanmar's Ongoing Conflict
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Myanmar's military rulers to end the intensifying civil war and adhere to ASEAN's five-point consensus peace plan. The conflict involves Myanmar's military clashing with ethnic minority rebel groups and an armed resistance movement, which has been gaining ground.
"The instability, the insecurity, the deaths, the pain that is being caused by the conflict is not sustainable," Wong stated. "We urge the regime to take a different path and reflect on the five-point consensus that ASEAN has put in place."
An estimated 2.6 million people have been displaced by the fighting in Myanmar. The junta faces condemnation for using excessive force in air strikes on civilian areas and for alleged atrocities, which it has dismissed as Western disinformation.
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