ASEAN leaders agree on ending violence
▶ Meeting ‘ beyond expectations,’ to ‘ put brakes on Myanmar tension’
The ASEAN meeting can contribute to promoting political reconciliation in Myanmar, showing ASEAN’s constructive role, and fending off external interference. Wang Yi,
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) agreed on a five- point consensus on Saturday regarding the Myanmar crisis in a special meeting attended by heads of state and the Myanmar military. The consensus urged an end to violence and called for constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, which ASEAN regarded as “beyond expectations.”
Experts noted that the consensus will effectively promote the de- escalation of the Myanmar situation, and ASEAN’s taking the initiative in the matter as “the most proper and justifiable body” would avert intervention by the West.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday commented on the talks, calling them “timely and important.”
The emergency gathering, which was attended by Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing and six heads of state, as well as three foreign ministers representing ASEAN, was the first in- person meeting among ASEAN members since the initial COVID- 19 outbreak, and it was also the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar.
It was also the first time for Min Aung Hlaing to leave Myanmar after the major cabinet reshuffle that took place in February.
The statement rolled out after the meeting said a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair will be sent to Myanmar to facilitate the process, and will meet with all parties concerned. The statement noted that humanitarian assistance will be provided to Myanmar.
Experts believed that the consensus will be conducive to ease the Myanmar situation, and they have helped to create a friendly environment for future dialogue, but the key to settling the problem lies in the implementation of the consensus.
Bi Shihong, a professor at the Center for China’s Neighbor Diplomacy Studies and School of International Studies of Yunnan University, said that the consensus “will to some extent nudge the Myanmar military to accept the suggestion from ASEAN, if not for intervention by Western powers through means of increasing sanctions or inciting protests.”
The talks came at a time when both sides have felt increasingly the urgency to stop the turmoil, said Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.
China expects the ASEAN meeting to contribute to promoting political reconciliation in Myanmar, showing ASEAN’s constructive role, and fending off external interference, Wang Yi noted.