Asean upgrades strategic ties with China, says Myanmar an ‘integral’ member
- Asean’s deepened strategic partnership with China comes a day after it reached a similar deal with Australia
- Current Asean chair Brunei during the press conference also spoke about Myanmar’s place in the bloc and called for non-militarisation in the South China Sea
Australia’s clinching of the elevated partnership was a symbolic win for Canberra in getting ahead of Beijing in securing the first such deal with the Southeast Asia region, which has become a strategic battleground between China and the US.
The announcement was made by Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during a news conference at which he was asked about Myanmar’s future attendance of Asean events, after its junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a coup in February, was excluded from a series of Asian summits this week.
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“Myanmar is an integral part of the Asean family and their membership has not been questioned,” he said, when asked if Myanmar could even be expelled from the bloc.
“Asean will always be there for Myanmar and we have continued to offer help through the implementation of the five-point consensus,” said the leader of Brunei, the current Asean chair.
Min Aung Hlaing was sidelined over his failure to implement that “consensus”, which he agreed with Asean in April, committing to ending hostilities, start dialogue and facilitate humanitarian aid and mediation efforts by a special Asean envoy.
“For this meeting, we have given Myanmar space while firmly upholding the principles enshrined in the Asean charter including that of non-interference,” the sultan said.
Speaking at a separate news conference, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said it was unclear if Myanmar would join future Asean meetings and stressed the no-show this week was Myanmar’s call.
Asked if it would continue to be part of Asean events, Saifuddin Abdullah said: “That’s the one-million-dollar question which I cannot answer.”
During the summit with China on Thursday, Brunei also urged non-militarisation and self-restraint in the South China Sea.
“We emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants and all other states,” Brunei said in a statement.
In the meeting, some Asean leaders raised issues related to several incidents in the South China Sea that have eroded trust and confidence, and increased tensions, Brunei said.
