On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, to participate in a series of ASEAN meetings. This visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea. However, analysts believe that these tensions will not significantly impact the primary focus of cooperation at the meetings.
The Philippines aims to use the ASEAN events to gain support for its stance on the South China Sea disputes. However, other ASEAN members recognize the complexity and sensitivity of the issue. They understand that the bloc’s primary focus should be on development and prosperity rather than conflict.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Thongloun Sisoulith, the general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos. During the meeting, Wang Yi highlighted the CPC’s commitment to ongoing reform and opening-up. He appreciated Laos’ steadfast support on issues concerning China’s core interests and emphasized China’s readiness to enhance cooperation and experience sharing.
Wang Yi also met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, reaffirming the commitment to deepen the China-Laos community with a shared future. Both sides expressed their desire to enhance practical cooperation, particularly through projects like the Laos-China Railway, which has significantly boosted Laos’ economic development.
From Thursday to Saturday, Wang Yi will participate in several high-level meetings, including the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity to review progress and plan further cooperation to build a peaceful and prosperous region.
The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” aims to address various regional challenges. The theme indicates the bloc’s urgent need to boost its economy and improve infrastructure, particularly in transportation and energy. Significant projects, such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway and the China-Laos Railway, demonstrate the critical role of infrastructure in regional development.
Despite improved economic performance, Southeast Asian economies face pressures from inflation and fiscal constraints. Close cooperation with China is seen as essential for stabilizing industrial chains and building economic resilience in the era of Industry 4.0. Negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) Version 3.0 are expected to inject new momentum into bilateral trade.
Discussions at the meetings will also cover international issues such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the conflict in Gaza, on which China and ASEAN members share similar stances. The South China Sea remains a complex issue, with frictions between China and the Philippines exacerbated by US intervention. However, progress is expected in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
Despite some core divergences, ASEAN is unlikely to let confrontational issues overshadow its central agenda of regional cooperation and solidarity. Analysts believe that ASEAN members understand the importance of maintaining peace and stability and will not allow external forces to disrupt this balance.
The Philippines has proposed the creation of an ASEAN Coast Guard Forum to facilitate dialogue and law enforcement. While this move is partly motivated by concerns over China, it should not be viewed as solely China-targeted. Cooperation between China and ASEAN coast guards has been positive, and further collaboration is possible.
Analysts caution that the US might attempt to sow discord between China and ASEAN, leveraging the Philippines to create trouble. However, ASEAN is expected to uphold its centrality and resist external interference. The bloc does not want to focus excessively on the South China Sea at the expense of regional cooperation and development.
Comparing the current situation to the 2012 frictions between China and the Philippines, analysts note that ASEAN members are more aware of the real dynamics at play. They recognize who is working towards peace and who is militarizing the region. Indonesia, the ASEAN chair in 2023, has warned against using Southeast Asia as a proxy battleground for external rivalries.
Despite the immediate benefits from industrial relocation due to China-US trade frictions, ASEAN is cautious about excluding China, understanding that a stable supply chain is crucial. Analysts suggest that ASEAN is also considering the long-term implications of US promises, especially in light of the upcoming US elections.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Vientiane and participation in the ASEAN meetings underscore the importance of cooperation and development in the region. While tensions in the South China Sea persist, ASEAN members are focused on boosting regional connectivity and resilience. The meetings provide a platform for in-depth discussions on various issues, from economic cooperation to international conflicts. Despite external pressures, ASEAN is committed to maintaining peace and stability, ensuring that regional cooperation remains the priority.
