ASEAN summits open in Laos with Myanmar crisis, South China Sea disputes dominating agenda

Representatives stand for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 44th ASEAN Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane Laos October 9 2024 REUTERS-Yonhap — Representatives stand for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 9, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits commenced in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, bringing together leaders from the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc.

The three-day event marks the first appearance of a Myanmar junta representative since the 2021 military coup, highlighting the ongoing crisis as a key discussion point.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra urged for a unified message against military solutions in Myanmar, while hinting at support for elections under the junta's supervision.

South China Sea territorial disputes also feature prominently on the agenda, with leaders from the Philippines and Vietnam expected to address the issue.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to attend related meetings, presenting Beijing's stance on the matter. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, representing President Joe Biden, plans to emphasize international law compliance in the South China Sea and discuss geopolitical concerns such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea-Russia cooperation.

The summit will host various multilateral meetings, including ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit.

AJP