The South China Sea issue, which begins with the ASEAN Regional Forum, did not participate in the US-China Foreign Minister

The South China Sea issue, which begins with the ASEAN Regional Forum, did not participate in the US and Chinese Foreign Ministers at 12:49 on September 12.

The ARF = ASEAN Regional Forum, which discusses security in the Asia-Pacific region, began in the form of a video conference on the 12th, and it seems that opinions are being exchanged on issues such as the South China Sea, where the conflict between the United States and China is deepening.

However, in both the United States and China, foreign ministers have not participated, and the situation is unprecedented.

ARF is a conference in which 27 countries and regions such as ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, the United States, China, and North Korea participate.

"Today's meeting will be held in our region and in the world as significant and complex changes continue. The importance imposed on us," said Min, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam, the chair of this year. The role is to continue efforts to fulfill the role of the forum in creating constructive dialogue and cooperation. "

One of the main agenda items of the conference is the issue of the South China Sea, where some ASEAN member countries and China are vying for sovereignty.

Conflicts between the United States and China are deepening, with China claiming interests in almost all areas over the South China Sea, while the United States points out that it is "totally illegal" and the military activities of both countries are becoming more active. ..

Concerns are widespread among ASEAN member countries, and it seems that opinions are being exchanged to ease tensions.

However, in both the United States and China, foreign ministers have not participated due to schedule reasons, and the situation is unprecedented in that only high-ranking government officials are present.

Also, as in last year, the Foreign Minister did not participate in North Korea, and only the ASEAN Ambassador attended.

Did Foreign Minister Wang avoid confrontation with the United States?

Of the series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ARF Ministerial Meeting are attended by the US and Chinese Foreign Ministers every year and have directly exchanged opinions.

However, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi did not participate in the ARF held today because of other foreign travel dates.

This is the first time that Foreign Minister Wang has not participated in the ARF ministerial-level meeting held in conjunction with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting since he became Foreign Minister in 2013.

Also, according to diplomatic officials, Foreign Minister Wang participated in the recorded video at the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on the 9th of this month.

As the conflict between the United States and China deepened, attention was paid to what kind of opinions the foreign ministers of the two countries would exchange, but Foreign Minister Wang did not participate directly in any of the meetings and faced with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It is possible that he avoided the same.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also attended the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, but hurriedly shelved participation in the ARF because he attended the ceasefire talks in Afghanistan.