Australia and Laos Strengthen Ties During ASEAN Meeting Amid South China Sea Tensions – Sky Bulletin
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During the recent ASEAN summit, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced concerns about what he described as “unsafe and destabilizing behavior” in the South China Sea. The comments referenced the recent clash involving Chinese and Philippine ships.
The ASEAN summit, which spanned three days and did not directly name China in its concluding statements, nonetheless spotlighted the issue when ASEAN leaders called for peaceful dialogue rather than force or threats to resolve disputes. This plea came after a collision between coast guard vessels of China and the Philippines near a contested shoal, which left four Filipino crew members injured.
Officials from China and the Philippines each blamed the other for the incident, which is just the latest in a series of tense interactions in regions claimed by both nations.
Albanese, together with Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone who co-chaired the summit, expressed Australia’s concerns over Tuesday’s incident, citing the risk of escalation that it represented.
Australia supported a move involving the 2016 arbitration ruling from The Hague rejecting China’s expansive territorial claims, which Beijing dismissed. However, the final “Melbourne Declaration” from the summit did not highlight this ruling.
The declaration made instead a commitment to resolving disputes peaceably as per international law, focusing on diplomatic efforts without the threat or use of force.
Albanese remarked on the compromises necessary for agreement, emphasizing the need for de-escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
Experts like Damien Kingsbury from Deakin University noted that the declaration diplomatically refrained from naming China, reflecting the divergent stances within ASEAN regarding Beijing’s influence.
Previous ASEAN talks have included major world leaders and have aimed to develop a code of conduct for the South China Sea to prevent further conflict.
ASEAN’s most seasoned leader, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, acknowledged that the code’s finalization faces hurdles.
Issues such as the ongoing conflict in Myanmar cast a shadow over the summit, leading to Myanmar’s exclusion from the event following strong condemnation from the ASEAN leaders.
Protests and discussions about Myanmar’s representation occurred alongside the summit, while East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão attended as an official observer, following ASEAN’s agreement to potentially include the young nation.
FAQs about Australia and Laos’ Bilateral Relations and South China Sea Issues
- What was the main concern expressed by Australia at the ASEAN summit?
- Australia expressed concern over “unsafe and destabilizing behavior” in the South China Sea, primarily the recent collision between Chinese and Philippine ships.
- What is the Melbourne Declaration?
- The Melbourne Declaration is the final statement from the ASEAN summit held in Melbourne, which calls for peaceful resolution of disputes through legal and diplomatic channels, without using force.
- Why is there a focus on the South China Sea?
- The South China Sea is a contentious area with overlapping territorial claims, and recent incidents have raised concerns about the potential for conflict escalation.
- Did the ASEAN summit reach consensus on the South China Sea disputes?
- While the summit did not reach a clear resolution, ASEAN leaders called for dialogue and legal resolution, proving a compromise between different positions within the group.
- What was the outcome regarding Myanmar’s participation in the summit?
- Myanmar was officially excluded from the Melbourne summit due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis within the country.
Conclusion
The ASEAN summit in Melbourne served as a platform for Australia and Laos, along with other members, to address critical regional issues such as the South China Sea disputes. While the discussions resulted in cautious, consensus-driven responses rather than direct confrontation, the significance of the issues at hand and ASEAN’s collective stance on matters of peace and stability were clearly reiterated. Moving forward, it’s evident that ASEAN and its partner countries will continue to navigate the complexities of regional diplomacy in a bid to maintain stability and security within the Indo-Pacific sphere.
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