Asean divided against itself

EDITORIAL

Published: 16 Jul 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The spectacular collapse of the conference of foreign ministers in Cambodia last week is a major setback for Asean. As the group's secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said, it is a harsh lesson. Years ago, Mr Surin was one of the strongest voices in the region arguing against the outdated use of the so-called principle of non-interference to try to paper over tough decisions. Last week, Asean was so crippled by this outmoded rule of engagement that it was publicly humiliated and unable to engage.

It does not help that China is mostly to blame for the embarrassing end to the summit of Asean foreign ministers and a couple of dozen outside counterparts. Beijing's serial refusals to address the serious problems of territorial disputes in the South China Sea were well known before the Cambodia meetings. Asean's stated aim and its duty was to bring some order and stability to a problem that currently risks shooting wars between China and the Philippines, and between China and Vietnam. Failure was always possible, but the mortifying collapse of the talks is unacceptable.

The argument, which grew heated, was over the wording of a statement for the meeting. The Philippines and Vietnam insisted that the dispute be described, to include a confrontation between Manila and Beijing over a reef known as the Scarborough Shoal. Beijing angrily rejected its inclusion.

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bluebottle
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Discussion 3 : 16 Jul 2012 at 20.313
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So what are you surprised it sounds like the school bully.China trying to run the whole thing and then countries taking sides.We must not forget Chine is big enough to close its doors and still survive very well on its own.
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tommylee
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Discussion 2 : 16 Jul 2012 at 16.492
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In the light of the negative effects of the European Union on national state sovereignty and the enforcement of supranational laws on EU nations and their legislatures, maybe Thailand should reconsider joining a supranational Union like ASEAN, which will eventually lead to the loss of national Thai sovereignty, and to a dictatorship of ASEAN top executives. In the EU these top executives are called "commissars", and critics of the EU have labeled the supranational EU the new "EUSSR" because it has become a dictatorial organization like the now extinct Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics.
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Eggmeng
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Discussion 1 : 16 Jul 2012 at 10.071
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As reported recently in a press report:

At a July security meeting of ASEAN countries, (Hillary) Clinton stressed the importance that the United States attaches to the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, calling it a U.S. 'national interest'.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi retorted that Beijing considers the South China Sea a 'core national interest' and that 'China is a big country and other countries are small countries and that is just a fact.'
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Asean divided against itself | Bangkok Post: opinion