BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said on Thursday it has agreed with China to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a day after reaching a similar deal with Australia.
Australia's clinching of the elevated partnership was a symbolic win for Canberra in getting ahead of China in securing the first such deal with the Southeast Asia region, which has become a strategic battleground between Beijing and Washington.
The announcement was made by Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during a news conference at which he was asked about Myanmar's future attendance of Asean events, after its junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a coup in February, was excluded from a series of Asian summits this week.
"Myanmar is an integral part of the Asean family and their membership has not been questioned," he said, asked if Myanmar could even be expelled from the bloc.
"Asean will always be there for Myanmar and we have continued to offer help through the implementation of the five-point consensus."
Min Aung Hlaing was sidelined over his failure to implement that "consensus", which he agreed with Asean in April, committing to ending hostilities, start dialogue and facilitate humanitarian aid and mediation efforts by a special Asean envoy.
"For this meeting, we have given Myanmar space while firmly upholding the principles enshrined in the Asean charter including that of non-interference," the sultan said.
Speaking at a separate news conference, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said it was unclear if Myanmar would join future Asean meetings and stressed the no-show this week was Myanmar's call.
Asked if it would continue to be part of Asean events, Saifuddin Abdullah said: "That's the one million dollar question which I cannot answer."
Cambodia, the incoming chair of Asean will push Myanmar's military rulers to open dialogue with its opponents, its foreign minister said on Thursday.
Warning Myanmar was on the "brink of civil war", Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia would appoint a new special envoy to Myanmar to start work early next year when it takes the reins of Asean.
The current envoy, Erywan Yusof, represents outgoing Asean chair Brunei.
"While we all respect the principle of non-interference into domestic affairs of member states, the situation in Myanmar continues to be a subject of grave concern," Sokhonn told Reuters.
"(It) has negative impacts on the region, the credibility of the association and on the people of Myanmar, our brothers and sisters."
In an unprecedented snub, Asean excluded Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing from a series of Asian summits it hosted this week.
The general, who led a February 1 coup that spiralled into bloody turmoil, was sidelined for failing to honour his commitment to Asean to stop violence, start dialogue and allow access to humanitarian aid and an Asean envoy. - Reuters
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