China-ASEAN Agree to Restrain Mutual Provocations in South China Sea... Mitigated Through 'Vaccine Diplomacy'

Lowering the Tone of Joint Statement Despite Philippine Backlash
Cambodia, Laos, and Others Included in Vaccine and Economic Support

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] China and the 10 ASEAN countries have issued a joint statement agreeing to mutually refrain from provocations in the South China Sea. Earlier, the Philippines, which had a maritime sovereignty dispute with China in the South China Sea, argued that a stronger statement was necessary. However, it is reported that China significantly lowered the level of the joint statement by promising vaccines and economic support behind the scenes to other Southeast Asian countries, sparking controversy.

According to the Singapore daily The Straits Times on the 9th, the foreign ministers of China and the 10 ASEAN countries held a special foreign ministers' meeting in Chongqing the previous day and issued a joint statement agreeing to mutually refrain from provocations in the South China Sea. The foreign ministers agreed to adopt a statement regarding the South China Sea dispute that "China and ASEAN countries will cooperate to enhance maritime security in the South China Sea and refrain from activities that escalate disputes or undermine peace and stability."

Prior to the issuance of this statement, the Philippine government, which recently had a maritime sovereignty dispute with China, insisted that stronger wording to prevent China's provocations in the South China Sea should be included in the statement. However, it is reported that they did not receive support from other Southeast Asian countries. The Straits Times, citing anonymous sources, reported, "Cambodia and Laos, who were preemptively wooed by China with vaccines and economic support, opposed the Philippines' demands, resulting in a significant lowering of the statement's tone regarding the South China Sea."

Regarding the Myanmar situation, which was also a major agenda item at this meeting along with the South China Sea, the statement only included content about "striving to maintain regional peace and stability." The anticipated joint sanctions against the Myanmar military before the meeting were not included at all. This is also presumed to be due to China's behind-the-scenes influence to restrain criticism of the Myanmar military.

While the United States has recently been entangled in Middle East issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, there is analysis that China’s active vaccine diplomacy and economic support promises to Southeast Asian countries have significantly changed the stance of ASEAN countries regarding the South China Sea dispute.

According to Voice of America (VOA), Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, pointed out during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on the 2nd of this month, "We are concerned about Cambodia's dismantling of U.S.-built facilities at the Ream Naval Base." VOA also reported that countries such as Cambodia and Laos are currently considering allowing Chinese military presence in some areas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.