ASEAN foreign ministers face test of unity at Manila meetings

ASEAN foreign ministers are gathering in Manila for a series of meetings that will test the bloc's unity on key regional issues, including the South China Sea disputes and Myanmar's political crisis. The meetings, scheduled over several days, involve discussions on economic cooperation, security, and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar. Divergent views among member states, particularly on how to engage with China and handle Myanmar's junta, pose challenges to reaching a unified stance. The Philippines, as host, is pushing for a strong collective position. The outcome will signal the bloc's ability to maintain relevance and cohesion amid great-power competition.

Global Impact

Politically, the meetings test ASEAN's credibility as a neutral broker in great-power rivalry. A failure to unify could embolden China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and weaken pressure on Myanmar's junta, undermining regional stability.