Southeast Asian leaders open annual summit with major conflicts and their impact topping the agenda
Summary
Southeast Asian leaders opened their annual summit in Manila with conflicts in the Middle East, Myanmar and the South China Sea dominating the agenda. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to join later talks as the bloc seeks unity amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Key Points
- Southeast Asian leaders opened the annual ASEAN summit in Manila, with three days of talks focused on major global and regional conflicts.
- Draft communiques emphasize international law, peaceful dispute resolution, freedom of navigation and concern over the wars in the Middle East, Myanmar and the South China Sea.
- Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Manila on Tuesday and meet ASEAN leaders, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other regional partners.
- China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang, while the summit is also expected to address economic fallout from global tensions.
