Malaysia is set to host the 46th edition of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit from 26 to 27 May. The summit will bring together leaders from Southeast Asian nations to discuss key regional issues, including economic cooperation, security and sustainable development.Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said the upcoming two-day Asean summit will focus on key issues such as the civil conflict in Myanmar, ongoing maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and recent US tariff hikes, reported news agency Associated Press.The meeting in Malaysia will be followed by a summit with Chinese premier Li Qiang and leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC already has strong ties with the US and Anwar said he also “wants to be close to China,” at a media briefing on Wednesday night. “We want to have that synergy to enhance trade investments, more effective collaboration,” he added.
Current issues at Asean
Asean countries have been hit by US tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 49 per cent. Last month, US president Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, prompting countries like Malaysia and Singapore to quickly begin trade talks with Washington.Anwar said the US has promised to review Malaysia’s case “sympathetically.” He added that Asean is further working to negotiate with the US. At the same time, he stressed the need to strengthen economic ties with China, India and the European Union.He assured that the US-China rivalry will not split Asean as the bloc continues to engage with both superpowers. He highlighted territorial disputes between Asean members and China in the South China Sea and the ongoing military conflict in Myanmar. Anwar assured that Asean remained focused on dialogue and regional stability.Last month, Anwar met Myanmar military chief general Ming Aung Hlaing in Bangkok where they held virtual talks with the opposition National Unity Government. Even though the talks focused on humanitarian aid, Anwar said he hoped they could eventually push a peace process forward.Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has been barred from Asean meetings after the military refused to comply with the bloc’s peace plan that called for humanitarian aid access and negotiations. Critics of the military government say the military blocks aid from reaching several areas and accuses it of violating its own ceasefire with repeated airstrikes.
