Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations not to turn a blind eye to developments in the South China Sea.
ASEAN summit meetings began on Wednesday in the Laotian capital Vientiane.
On Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will take part in a meeting with ASEAN leaders, while his country remains at odds with the Philippines and other members over territorial rights in the South China Sea.
An internal document of the Philippine government reveals that Marcos called on member nations on Wednesday to unite, with China’s actions in mind.
Marcos said, “We call on all ASEAN Member States not to turn a blind eye to the aggressive, coercive, and illegal actions of an external power against an ASEAN Member State.” He added, “Silence in the face of these violations diminishes ASEAN.”
Diplomatic sources say some member states that have strong economic ties with China are opposed to the phrasing of the South China Sea issue in the statement of the chair.
Mindful of this rift, Marcos also said, “We must not ignore the actions of those which seek to divide us and use ASEAN for their own ends.”