BANGKOK. Southeast Asian leaders have urged for a swift agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for adherence to international law. At the same time, the bloc called for an immediate halt to violence in Myanmar and for inclusive peace talks to end the ongoing civil war.
In a statement issued by the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 10-member group highlighted the key outcomes of its recent meetings, which concluded on Friday in Laos. Diplomats from major global powers, including the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India, and South Korea, were also in attendance.
Tensions have been escalating in the South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire strategic waterway, putting it in direct conflict with ASEAN members like the Philippines and Vietnam. These disputes have increased concerns about a possible escalation that could draw in the United States, which is bound by treaty to defend the Philippines in the event of an attack.
The South China Sea, a crucial route for $3 trillion in annual trade, was a focal point during the ASEAN discussions. Russia and China objected to references to the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), according to a U.S. official.
The ASEAN statement called for confidence-building measures aimed at “reducing tensions and the risk of accidents, misunderstandings, and miscalculation” in the contested waters. It also noted “positive momentum” in the ongoing negotiations for a maritime code of conduct, which China and ASEAN initially agreed upon in 2002, though formal talks did not begin until 2017.
ASEAN expressed hope for the “early conclusion of an effective and substantive” code of conduct that aligns with international law, including UNCLOS.
Regarding the conflict in Myanmar, ASEAN reiterated its call for “an immediate cessation of violence” and the establishment of a “conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue” that is “Myanmar-owned and -led.” The war between Myanmar’s military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, and a growing armed resistance movement remains a significant concern for the region.
ASEAN’s five-point peace plan, announced shortly after the coup, has seen little progress. Currently, an estimated 18.6 million people — more than a third of Myanmar’s population — are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The bloc welcomed Thailand’s initiative to host informal talks on the Myanmar crisis later this year, potentially involving other ASEAN members.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
