ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet in Malaysia Amid Myanmar Crisis \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Southeast Asian foreign ministers convened in Langkawi, Malaysia, for their first 2025 meeting under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship. The agenda focused on Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasized regional unity and economic integration, urging ASEAN to maintain its centrality amid global challenges.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting: Quick Looks
- Key Location: Langkawi, Malaysia, hosted the retreat for ASEAN’s 10 member nations.
- Focus Areas: Addressing Myanmar’s civil war and South China Sea disputes.
- Myanmar Crisis: Ongoing conflict since the 2021 coup; ASEAN’s peace plan remains ineffective.
- South China Sea: Territorial disputes involving China and ASEAN nations are escalating.
- Malaysia’s Leadership: Advocates pragmatism and quiet diplomacy in balancing security and economic concerns.
Deep Look
Southeast Asian foreign ministers convened in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Sunday for their first major gathering of the year under Malaysia’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This strategic retreat, hosted on the serene northern island, serves as a critical opportunity to set the regional bloc’s priorities for 2025 amid growing global uncertainties and ongoing crises in Myanmar and the South China Sea.
A New Vision for ASEAN in 2025
The meeting marked a significant moment for Malaysia as the bloc’s new chair, tasked with steering the organization through an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasized the importance of unity among the 10-member states, highlighting ASEAN’s role as a primary platform for conflict resolution and economic growth in the region.
“There is much to prepare for. Above all, what we need to anticipate are the potential challenges to ASEAN centrality,” Hasan said during the meeting’s opening. “We must ensure that ASEAN remains our central go-to platform for solution-seeking… We are the speakers and not the spoken-for. We must drive our own path forward.”
Hasan stressed that economic integration should be at the forefront of ASEAN’s agenda, particularly as the bloc navigates challenges posed by the U.S.-China rivalry. The minister also pointed to uncertainties surrounding the incoming second term of U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that changes in U.S. foreign policy could reshape regional dynamics.
The Escalating Myanmar Crisis
One of ASEAN’s most pressing challenges remains Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, triggered by a military coup in February 2021. The coup toppled the elected civilian government, igniting a widespread armed resistance movement. Rebel forces now control large swathes of the country, and the conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.
ASEAN has sought to mediate through a five-point consensus peace plan, which calls for dialogue among stakeholders and an end to violence. However, these efforts have been largely ineffective, as Myanmar’s military junta has refused to comply with ASEAN directives. Consequently, ASEAN has excluded Myanmar’s military leaders from formal meetings, though its longstanding policy of non-interference has limited its ability to act decisively.
Malaysia has signaled its intent to adopt a more active role in addressing the Myanmar crisis. Foreign Minister Hasan recently appointed Othman Hashim, a former senior foreign ministry official, as Malaysia’s special envoy to Myanmar. The envoy’s mission includes engaging with various factions to explore potential pathways for peace.
Myanmar’s junta has announced plans to hold elections this year to legitimize its rule. However, critics warn that the elections are unlikely to be free or fair, further complicating the country’s path to stability. The prolonged crisis has also exacerbated criminal activities along Myanmar’s borders, including human trafficking, online scams, and drug smuggling, further destabilizing the region.
South China Sea Disputes
Tensions in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, were another focal point of the ASEAN meeting. The waterway remains a flashpoint due to overlapping territorial claims involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
In 2024, the South China Sea saw multiple violent confrontations, with Chinese vessels clashing repeatedly with those from the Philippines and Vietnam. Chinese patrols also ventured into Indonesia’s and Malaysia’s exclusive economic zones, prompting strong objections from the affected nations.
The Philippines has been particularly vocal in pushing for a legally binding code of conduct between ASEAN and China to govern activities in the disputed waters. However, negotiations have stalled due to disagreements over key issues, including whether the pact should be enforceable and the extent of its geographic coverage.
ASEAN has avoided openly criticizing China, which is the bloc’s largest trading partner, opting instead for quiet diplomacy. Analysts believe this approach reflects ASEAN’s delicate balancing act between economic interdependence and security concerns.
Malaysia’s Leadership Approach
As the ASEAN chair, Malaysia is expected to prioritize pragmatism in its diplomatic approach. Experts predict that Malaysia will seek to foster dialogue and collaboration without escalating tensions, especially given the bloc’s limited diplomatic and military influence compared to major powers like China.
Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman, a research fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, noted Malaysia’s likely focus on quiet diplomacy. “It would be pragmatism on Malaysia’s side, as the country — as well as ASEAN as a whole — lack the diplomatic and military heft to confront China on the South China Sea,” he said.
Malaysia’s leadership also brings historical context to the Myanmar crisis. In 1997, during its previous chairmanship, Malaysia played a key role in bringing Myanmar into ASEAN. This legacy could motivate Malaysia to take a stronger stance in addressing Myanmar’s ongoing conflict, even as it balances competing regional priorities.
Looking Ahead
The ASEAN retreat in Langkawi set a tone of cautious optimism and renewed commitment to addressing the bloc’s most critical challenges. As chair, Malaysia has a unique opportunity to drive discussions on regional unity, economic integration, and conflict resolution. However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, from entrenched geopolitical disputes in the South China Sea to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
Malaysia’s leadership in ASEAN will be closely watched as it navigates these complex issues, balancing the need for security with the region’s economic and diplomatic aspirations.
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