(Reuters) — Tensions in the South China Sea are expected to top the agenda at this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, which will be kicking off later this week in Manila amid tight security.
Negotiators from China and ASEAN have met in Indonesia and Cambodia over the last few months to try to come up with a final draft of a Code of Conduct for the waterway, which is claimed by several ASEAN member-nations as well as China.
Though some have said the agreement could be approved by Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila this week, others are not so optimistic.
“One of the weaknesses of ASEAN is that they decide based on consensus instead of the majority,” he said.
“In this case China, (has) succeeded in dividing ASEAN by getting some of their allied countries like Cambodia, maybe Laos, to always vote against any desire… to have ASEAN to have a stronger stand vis-a-vis the respect of the rule of law on the issue of South China Sea,” said President of Stratbase Institute for International and Strategic Studies, Dindo Manhit.
Foreign ministers from the 10-member regional bloc are expected to sit down for talks on Friday (April 28) ahead of the heads of state who will meet on Saturday (April 29). Regional security issues, North Korea’s nuclear program, as well as trade and economic partnership are also expected to be high on the agenda.
ASEAN, which has a population of 626 million people and a combined gross domestic product of $2.4 trillion, has become the region’s most successful grouping, crediting with preventing strife and promoting a surge in trade and investment.
It was founded 50 years ago in the midst of Cold War conflicts, insurgencies and coups in Southeast Asia.