Defense chiefs from Southeast Asian nations gathered in Laos for security talks with key global partners, including China and the United States. The closed-door discussions addressed the escalating tensions in the South China Sea due to Beijing's assertive territorial claims.
The meeting brought together top officials, including U.S. Secretary of Defense and Chinese Defense Minister, despite a refusal by the Chinese minister to hold a one-on-one meeting with his American counterpart. The U.S. has been advocating for a 'free and open Indo-Pacific' policy, a stance that has raised concerns amid the changing administration in Washington.
Aside from the U.S. and China, countries such as Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand participated in the talks. The agenda also covered issues in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and conflicts in the Middle East.
The South China Sea disputes involve ASEAN members like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, who have conflicting claims with China. Efforts to establish a code of conduct to regulate behavior in the sea have faced challenges, with disagreements over its binding nature.
Moreover, the ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar have strained ASEAN's credibility. The military coup in Myanmar in 2021 led to continued fighting with pro-democracy groups and ethnic rebels, posing a significant challenge for the region.
Discussions at the defense meetings also touched on military cooperation, transnational issues like haze and human trafficking, as well as border security and cybercrimes. The talks aimed to address the complex security landscape in the region and foster cooperation among ASEAN members and their global partners.
