The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) warned on Thursday that volatility caused by tensions in the Taiwan Strait could lead to “miscalculations, serious conflicts, open conflicts and unforeseen consequences between major powers”.
The regional bloc is holding a meeting of foreign ministers from 27 countries in Cambodia, which has been overshadowed by developments in Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit this week.
“ASEAN stands ready to play a constructive role in facilitating peaceful dialogue between all parties,” Blok said in a statement. He urged maximum moderation and refraining from provocation on all sides.
Pelosi’s trip, a top US official’s visit to self-governing Taiwan in 25 years, sparked anger in China, which was countered by a series of military exercises and other activities in the region.
Southeast Asian countries tend to walk a careful line to balance relations with China and the United States, being careful not to anger any of the major powers.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also in Cambodia, described Pelosi’s visit as “manic, irresponsible and utterly illogical”, according to the Chinese CCTV report.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the opening speech of his meeting with his ASEAN colleagues, emphasized that he acknowledged that the Taiwan issue is on everyone’s mind and that Washington’s stance has not changed.
“The United States continues to have a constant interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he said.
“We are against any unilateral effort to change the status quo, especially by force… And I want to emphasize that nothing has changed in our position.”
source: Noticias
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