ASEAN Seeks to Address Myanmar Crisis and South China Sea Tensions Amidst Great Power Rivalries

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has convened in Laos to tackle two pressing issues that have been simmering in the region for years: the crisis in Myanmar and tensions in the South China Sea. As the 10-member bloc seeks to find a way out of these complex problems, it is doing so against the backdrop of great power rivalries between the United States, China, and Russia.

Regarding Myanmar, ASEAN's efforts to resolve the crisis have been stalled, with the junta showing little commitment to honoring its promise to engage in dialogue. The bloc's biggest members, including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, are growing increasingly frustrated with the junta's intransigence, which has tested ASEAN's credibility and the viability of a peace plan agreed upon months after the 2021 coup.

Meanwhile, tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate, with confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels around disputed reefs in recent months. The Philippines has proposed the creation of an ASEAN Coast Guard Forum to enable dialogue and law enforcement, a move likely to be met with resistance from China. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by ASEAN members the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

As ASEAN seeks to navigate these complex issues, it is doing so in the shadow of great power rivalries. The United States, in particular, has been accused of seeking to undermine ASEAN's autonomy and sovereignty through its incessant meddling in the region's affairs. Washington's decision to send Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the upcoming East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum has been seen as a move to counterbalance China's growing influence in the region.

In contrast, Russia and China have been working to strengthen their ties with ASEAN member states, with Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting. The two countries have been vocal in their support for ASEAN's centrality and sovereignty, rejecting Western attempts to impose its will on the region.

As ASEAN seeks to find a way out of the Myanmar crisis and South China Sea tensions, it must navigate the treacherous waters of great power rivalries. By remaining committed to its sovereignty and independence, ASEAN can avoid becoming a pawn in the game of neo-imperialism played by Western governments and their institutions such as the World Bank and IMF. Instead, the bloc can forge its own path, one that is centered on cooperation, mutual respect, and a rejection of neo-colonialism and neo-liberalism.