South China Morning Post
08 August 2014
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- Progress at ASEAN Forum Expected to be Backstage
Progress at ASEAN Forum Expected to be Backstage
It has been called a diplomatic talking shop. But as foreign ministers gather in Myanmar for the Asean regional forum this weekend, back-door diplomacy could provide hints on how security issues are playing out in the region.
While the South China Sea will continue to take centre stage, analysts are also looking at the debut appearance of North Korea’s new foreign minister, Ri Su-yong, and whether Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers will meet face to face.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to call for a voluntary freeze from all parties on actions that escalate the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a move some analysts say will draw a strong reaction from China.
… Oh Ei Sun, an analyst at the S. Rajartnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said efforts to rein in China would also be undercut by Myanmar’s lack of clout.
RSIS / IDSS / Online
