ASEAN Discusses China Sea Tensions and Myanmar Violence

Laos, current ASEAN chair, sends special envoy to Myanmar amidst escalating humanitarian crisis.

China's assertive posture in the South China Sea and escalating violence in Myanmar were the main topics of discussion at the ASEAN meeting in Laos.
Several ASEAN nations have competing maritime claims in the South China Sea with China, which claims virtually the entire area, leading to confrontations, particularly with the Philippines and Vietnam.
The ASEAN meeting coincided with a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and top officials in Hanoi to discuss the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
Laos, the current chair of ASEAN, has sent its special envoy to Myanmar in an attempt to progress the 'Five-Point Consensus' plan for peace, which the military leadership in Myanmar has so far ignored.
More than 2.6 million people have been displaced due to escalating violence in Myanmar, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.