Cambodian leader Hun Sen called for unity on Sunday, telling a gathering including Russia, China and the United States that the current global tensions have been affecting everyone.
The prime minister, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said at the opening of the East Asia Summit that cooperating to resolve differences peacefully is in the common interest of the world.
The comments come as regional tensions remain high between the United States and China over the growing regional aspirations of Taiwan and Beijing, and as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has disrupted global supply chains, sending energy prices soaring. and food far beyond Europe.
Without pointing to any nation by name, Hun Sen said he hoped the leaders would embrace a “united spirit to uphold open and inclusive multilateralism, pragmatism and mutual respect in addressing the existential and strategic challenges we all face.” “Many current challenges and stresses have been hampering our hard-won past efforts to promote sustainable development and causing greater difficulties in people’s lives,” he said opening the meeting, which runs parallel to the main summit. of the ASEAN group.
Participants included US President Joe Biden and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and it comes just one day before the highly anticipated meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group Summit. out of 20 in Bali.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also participated in the meetings, which also included the leaders of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and others.
On Saturday, Biden vowed that the US would work with ASEAN, telling leaders of the strategically vital coalition that “we are going to build a better future that we all want to see” in the region where the US’s rival, China is also trying to expand. his influence
He promised to work together to build a region that is “free and open, stable and prosperous, resilient and secure.” “I look forward to continuing our work together with ASEAN and each of you to deepen peace and prosperity throughout the region to resolve challenges from the South China Sea to Myanmar and find innovative solutions to shared challenges,” Biden said. citing climate change. and health security between the areas of collaboration.
Meanwhile, Li Keqiang told a meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea that amid a “turbulent” global security situation, “unilateralism and protectionism are increasing, economic and financial risks are increasing and global development faces unprecedented challenges. As major economies in East Asia, Li said the group needed to “stay committed to promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond, and improving people’s well-being.” .
