All articles tagged with #asean
ASEAN’s 11 members, meeting in Manila, face a multi‑front agenda: Myanmar’s long‑running conflict and elections not endorsed by the bloc, ongoing engagement under a 2021 peace plan, momentum to conclude a legally binding ASEAN‑China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and a fragile Thailand–Cambodia border ceasefire that ASEAN will monitor as the Philippines coordinates the bloc’s observer role.
ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Cebu pressed the bloc’s long-running peace plan for Myanmar’s civil war and pushed to finish negotiations with China on a South China Sea code of conduct by the end of 2026, while Myanmar’s military government remains excluded from high-level talks. Observers weren’t invited to recent elections, and analysts say bridging remaining differences—especially on international law and whether the COC should be legally binding—will be difficult as focus also includes de-escalation and humanitarian aid.
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Vietnam’s To Lam on his re‑election as general secretary, calling China‑Vietnam a “community with a shared future,” praising Vietnam’s achievements and saying he aims to strengthen strategic communication and friendship to advance their socialist causes and regional peace.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a second ceasefire after weeks of intense border clashes that resulted in over 101 deaths, with both nations committing to maintain current troop levels and monitor the situation through ASEAN. The conflict, rooted in longstanding border disputes, temporarily escalated earlier this month but has now been temporarily halted, with plans for bilateral talks and efforts to return displaced civilians.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire to halt weeks of intense border clashes, which have resulted in over 100 deaths and displacements, with both sides maintaining current troop positions and monitoring by ASEAN observers to promote long-term peace.
Military officials from Thailand and Cambodia began talks to resume a ceasefire after 16 days of border clashes that have resulted in at least 86 deaths and displacements, with international concern expressed by the US and efforts by ASEAN to de-escalate the conflict.
Thailand and Cambodia are set to resume talks to establish a durable ceasefire along their border, following recent escalations and a rushed October agreement that lacked detail. The conflict, which has resulted in casualties and displacement, remains tense with ongoing fighting and accusations. ASEAN and international actors are urging de-escalation and a negotiated resolution.
Top Southeast Asian diplomats are meeting in Malaysia to try to end the deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which has resulted in at least 41 deaths and displaced nearly a million people. The meeting aims to revive a ceasefire brokered in July, with international mediators including the US and China involved in efforts to restore peace. Both countries blame each other for renewed hostilities, which have included artillery and air strikes along their border.
ASEAN foreign ministers are meeting in Malaysia to seek a resolution to the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, aiming to revive a ceasefire and promote dialogue, amid ongoing violence and international diplomatic efforts.
China and the US are separately working to restore a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia amid escalating border clashes, with ASEAN ministers scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the conflict, which has resulted in over 60 deaths and displaced half a million people.
Renewed fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border has undermined a fragile ceasefire brokered with U.S. help, threatening regional stability and economic trade, with experts skeptical about the long-term peace due to unresolved territorial disputes and political tensions, especially surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple and nationalist sentiments.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Southeast Asian nations to strengthen their maritime forces and work together to counter China's increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for a regional code of conduct and enhanced surveillance to deter provocations, amid ongoing tensions and China's rejection of US criticism.
China and ASEAN signed an expanded free trade agreement, enhancing economic ties and covering new areas like digital trade and sustainability, amidst regional tensions and U.S.-China rivalry, with leaders emphasizing cooperation and mutual reliance despite ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
China advocates for stronger economic ties and free trade at the ASEAN summit amid ongoing US-China trade tensions and US tariffs, while regional leaders discuss trade agreements and regional stability.
During the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, President Trump signed trade agreements with several Southeast Asian countries, offering tariff exemptions and commitments to reduce non-tariff barriers, but many questions remain about the enforcement of these deals and future tariffs, especially on semiconductors and transshipments.