Today's ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting is focused on the South China Sea, where the United States and China deepen conflict 4:09 September 9

The ASEAN-Southeast Asian Union Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held on the 9th, focusing on what kind of message will be sent to ease tensions as the United States and China deepen conflict over the issue of the South China Sea with territorial disputes. ..

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting was originally scheduled to be held in July, but it has been postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus and will be held in the form of a 9-day video conference.



One of the central agendas of the conference is the South China Sea issue, where some ASEAN member countries and China and others compete for sovereignty.



Regarding the South China Sea, the United States and China are deepening the confrontation, pointing out that the United States is "totally illegal" while China claims the interests of almost all areas.



Also, in July, the US military deployed a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for exercises, and the Chinese army launched a ballistic missile last month.



Concerns about this situation are widespread in ASEAN member countries, and the joint statement by the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which was acquired by NHK, said, "It raises concerns about land reclamation, activities, and serious cases that increase regional tension." It seems that the act incorporates language that encourages restraint, and that adjustments are being made based on these expressions.



This week, the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the East Asia Summit, which will also include the United States and China, and the ASEAN regional forum are planned, and the focus will be on how to send out messages to ease tensions through a series of meetings.

Expert "Emphasis on making rules"

Associate professor Sanae Suzuki of the University of Tokyo, which specializes in Southeast Asian security, said on ASEAN's perception of rising tensions between the United States and China in the South China Sea. While some countries welcomed a clear commitment that wasn't seen, overall, they wouldn't want to engage in its current form, as long as American action provoked China. Is there any?”



Regarding the attitude of ASEAN at the meeting, "There is no option in ASEAN to form an order in the South China Sea or Southeast Asia with military power or substantial power, but by creating rules and norms and placing importance on this, ASEAN wants the support of the countries involved in leading the rules-making process in the South China Sea, and I think it will emphasize the importance of such support."

Vietnamese expert "don't want US-China tension"

Nguyen Hung Sung, director of the South China Sea Research Institute at the Vietnam Foreign Studies Institute, said that there is concern over military clashes in the South China Sea due to rising tension between the United States and China I want both parties to understand that they do not want to."



The series of ASEAN conferences will play a role in easing tensions, saying, "ASEAN must encourage all concerned countries, including the United States and China, to deal with the South China Sea issue in a way that does not increase regional tensions." Showed expectations.