PM Lee to join world leaders in Jakarta for Asean Summit
Janice Lim
[JAKARTA] Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is leading a Singapore delegation to Indonesia to attend a regional meeting of leaders from Asean, as well as the bloc’s external partners.
On Monday (Sep 4), he arrived in the capital Jakarta for the 43rd Asean Summit and related summits that will take place from Tuesday to Thursday.
Much like the previous summit held in May at Labuan Bajo, this week’s 43rd Asean Summit is likely to focus on several pressing topics, including the unresolved Myanmar crisis and the ongoing territorial disputes over the South China Sea.
Last week, China’s natural resources ministry issued a new map featuring a “10-dash line” with an additional dash to the east of Taiwan.
The usual nine-dash line, which China has been using over the last several years to stake its claim over disputed territories in the area, has been the source of diplomatic tension between China and other Asean claimant states.
The release of the new map has sparked fresh protests from Malaysia and the Philippines, at a time when Asean leaders are preparing to gather in Jakarta for their summit.
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Unlike the May summit, this week’s meeting will also see Asean’s external partners making their way to the Indonesian capital, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Last Friday, Indonesia issued guidelines for Asean claimant states and China to conclude negotiations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea in three years or less, a process that has been underway for years.
The code of conduct is expected to reflect international norms, principles and rules that are in harmony with and refer to international law – especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – with the aim of achieving a stable, safe and peaceful South China Sea region.
As for Myanmar, which returned to military rule after a coup in February 2021, Asean’s leaders had adopted a five-point consensus in April that year as the main guiding principle to resolve the crisis. But the junta government has shown no desire to implement.
The consensus includes provisions for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by Asean and a visit by the regional bloc’s special envoy to Myanmar to meet with all parties.
As with previous Asean summits since the coup, Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing is not expected to participate in this week’s meetings.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet is expected to make his debut on the international stage, just weeks after taking over from his father Hun Sen.
Thailand’s Srettha Thavsin, who recently won a parliamentary vote to become prime minister, ending more than three months of deadlock after the May general election, will not be attending. Representing Thailand at the meetings will be Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan.
In addition to China’s Li, the other leaders of Asean’s external partners are also going to be in Jakarta, such as those from the US, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will all be attending.
The 43rd Asean summit will be the last regional meet hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as his two-year term limit will be up when South-east Asia’s largest economy heads for presidential elections next year.
Indonesia holds the Asean chairmanship in 2023, under a rotating system among the 10 member states. Laos will take over the chairmanship next year.
The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, said Asean leaders will discuss strengthening integration and expanding collaboration in key areas such as the digital and green economies.
They will also discuss ways to ensure Asean’s continued relevance and centrality in the evolving regional architecture. They will exchange views on regional and international developments, including the situation in Myanmar.
Other agreements relating to Asean’s infrastructure and food security are also expected to be inked at the end of the three-day summit.
In Jakarta, PM Lee will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and other government officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will be the Acting Prime Minister while PM Lee is away.
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