Asean top diplomat meetings

Top diplomats from Southeast Asia gathered in Vientiane, Laos, for a three-day meeting addressing significant regional issues, including tensions in the South China Sea and the escalating conflict in Myanmar. Key participants included U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, highlighting the competing influences of the U.S., China, and Russia in the region. The discussions aimed to enhance regional cooperation and economic resilience through frameworks like ASEAN Plus Three. Indonesia stressed the importance of not getting drawn into the rivalry between China and the U.S. ASEAN member states, particularly Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, expressed concerns over China's territorial claims, which could lead to broader conflicts. Additionally, South Korean and Japanese foreign ministers met on the sidelines to strengthen bilateral ties and address mutual concerns regarding North Korea and Russia's cooperation.