ASEAN warns against ‘miscalculation,’ ‘serious confrontation’ over Taiwan

PHNOM PENH — Southeast Asia’s regional bloc ASEAN warned on Thursday of a danger that volatility brought on by tensions within the Taiwan Strait might result in “miscalculation, serious confrontation, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences among major powers”.

The Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)  made the remarks in an announcement from international ministers after its chair, Cambodia, had urged all sides to de-escalate pressure over Taiwan.

The assembly in Phnom Penh of the 10-nation bloc, which is being attended by a string of different international locations together with China and america, has been overshadowed by developments in Taiwan following the go to by the U.S. home speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“ASEAN stands ready to play a constructive role in facilitating peaceful dialogue between all parties,” ASEAN mentioned because it referred to as for optimum restraint and for events to chorus from provocative motion.

The Pelosi journey, the highest-level US go to to self-ruled Taiwan in 25 years, has sparked outrage in China, which has responded with a burst of navy workout routines and different exercise within the space.

Southeast Asian international locations are likely to tread a cautious line in attempting to steadiness their relations with China and america, cautious of getting in between the tremendous powers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in feedback after talks together with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, mentioned he had been in a position to examine notes with a detailed companion “as we head into these very important ASEAN meetings”.

“We have a shared vision together for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” mentioned Mr. Blinken, who is just not anticipated to carry a gathering with Chinese language Overseas Minister Wang Yi in Cambodia.

Mr. Blinken, who’s amongst 27 international ministers set to affix an ASEAN Regional Discussion board safety assembly on Friday, mentioned his assembly with Mr. Jaishankar had lined “the situation in Sri Lanka, Burma, and a number of other hot spots”. — Reuters

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