Lagatar24 Desk
Laos: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a regional summit in Laos on Saturday, following his sharp criticism of Beijing’s “escalating and unlawful actions” in the South China Sea. The meeting, their sixth since June 23, underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts amid strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Before their closed-door talks, Blinken and Wang exchanged greetings but refrained from making any public comments. This meeting came hours after Blinken singled out China for its actions against the Philippines, a U.S. defense ally, during a discussion with Southeast Asian counterparts. Despite his criticism, Blinken praised both countries for their diplomatic efforts after the Philippines successfully completed a resupply mission to troops in an area also claimed by Beijing.
“We are pleased to take note of the successful resupply today of the Second Thomas Shoal, which is the product of an agreement reached between the Philippines and China,” Blinken told ASEAN foreign ministers. “We applaud that and hope and expect to see that it continues going forward.”
The troop presence at the Second Thomas Shoal has long angered China and caused repeated clashes with the Philippines, raising regional concerns about potential escalation. The recent arrangement between the two nations over these missions marks a significant diplomatic development.
At the ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos, attended by top diplomats from major powers including Russia, India, Australia, Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, Blinken also addressed other pressing security issues. He emphasized the U.S. commitment to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and finding a path to lasting peace and security, aligning with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi’s call for sustainable peace and adherence to international law.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concerns about the U.S. nuclear assets’ operational guidelines on the Korean peninsula, warning that they could exacerbate regional security issues.
Ahead of the summits, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Myanmar’s military rulers to cease their ongoing civil war and adhere to ASEAN’s five-point consensus peace plan. She stressed that the current conflict, marked by significant civilian displacement and military atrocities, is unsustainable.
ASEAN’s communique, released after two days of high-level meetings, reiterated its commitment to the peace plan for Myanmar, condemned violence against civilians, and urged all parties to cease hostilities. The communique also highlighted practical measures to reduce tensions in the South China Sea and prevent accidents, calling for a halt to actions that could escalate disputes.
The ministers expressed concern over North Korea’s missile tests and urged peaceful resolutions to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting the dire humanitarian situations and alarming casualties in these regions.
Blinken’s engagements in Laos reflect the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to navigate complex diplomatic challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, emphasizing the need for dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
