China, US, Other Nations Discuss Maritime Disputes in Laos Security Talks
VIENTIANE (Laos), Nov 21: Defense chiefs from Southeast Asia and partner nations met with China, the United States, and other countries on Thursday for high-stakes security talks, as Beijing's increasingly assertive stance in its claim to most of the South China Sea continues to escalate tensions.
The private meeting brings together US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun under the same roof, a day after Dong refused to meet with Austin one-on-one at the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meetings. Austin expressed regret over Dong's decision, calling it "a setback for the whole region".
US and China have been straining to improve strained military-to-military communications, amid growing concerns from Southeast Asian nations about China's expansionist claims in the South China Sea. The United States has pushed a "free and open Indo-Pacific" policy under outgoing President Joe Biden, while the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is yet to signal its stance on the contentious issue.
The meeting also involves other partner nations such as Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which have competing claims or interests in key waters surrounding Southeast Asia. Representatives from over 10 ASEAN member states attended the talks, where they addressed tensions in the Korean Peninsula, ongoing conflicts with Russia and Ukraine, and ongoing wars in the Middle East.
ASEAN members also raised concerns about China's behavior, citing increased militarization and territorial claims in the South China Sea. China's aggressive actions have led to clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels as well as Vietnamese ships that reported being assaulted by Chinese forces in disputed waters.
The meeting comes amidst a backdrop of slow-moving negotiations on a code of conduct governing behavior in the South China Sea, which has yet to be finalized despite talks having dragged on since 2006. Beijing's stance remains non-negotiable for ASEAN nations, who insist it must accept limitations to territorial claims within established boundaries.
The crisis over Myanmar also got attention at the meeting as an area of concern and conflict with a military regime that took off power in 2021. Over 75% of land under control of Myanmar military.