Indonesia urged Southeast Asia’s ASEAN bloc not to become embroiled in major power disputes on Tuesday, addressing concerns over Myanmar and the group’s unity. Southeast Asian leaders are meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia with the Myanmar crisis and China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea headlining discussions. At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized the need for a relevant long-term strategy, cautioning against the region becoming an arena for external rivalries. “ASEAN has agreed to not be a proxy to any powers. Don’t turn our ship into an arena for rivalry that is destructive,” Widodo said. The ASEAN summit will be followed by talks with Beijing, Washington and other powers later this week at the East Asia summit hosted by ASEAN leaders, where the US will be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris in the absence of President Joe Biden. The US attendance highlights its endeavors to counter China’s influence, particularly in the South China Sea, a significant global trade route.
What’s on the agenda for this year’s ASEAN summit? | DW News
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