Reporting

ASEAN MEMBERS

ASEAN was established on 8th of August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by the
founding fathers of the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The preceding
organisation was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) comprising of Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Five
other nations joined the ASEAN in subsequent years making the current membership to ten countries.

 Thailand (founding member)

 The Philippines (founding member)
 Malaysia (founding member)
 Singapore (founding member)
 Indonesia (founding member)
 Brunei (joined in 1984)
 Vietnam (joined in 1995)
 Lao People's Democratic Republic (joined in 1997)
 Myanmar (joined in 1997)
 Cambodia (joined in 1999)

ACTIVITIES

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, engages in a wide range of activities aimed at promoting cooperation,
economic integration, political security, social progress, and cultural development among its member states:

 ASEAN Summit: Regular meetings among the leaders of ASEAN member states to discuss political, security, and
economic issues.
 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): A forum for political and security dialogue involving ASEAN and its Dialogue
Partners to promote peace and stability in the region.
 ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus: Forums for defense and security dialogue among
member countries and their Plus partners.
 ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA): A trade bloc agreement that reduces tariffs among member countries to
promote intra-regional trade and economic integration.
 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): A vision for regional economic integration, including the free flow of
goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and freer movement of capital.
 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC): A community that aims to foster a greater sense of ASEAN identity
and promote social progress and cultural development.
 ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI): Focuses on promoting cultural cooperation and
exchanges among member states.
 ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB):A center dedicated to conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable
development, and enhancing regional cooperation in biodiversity management.
 ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre): A center
established to facilitate cooperation and coordination in disaster response and management among ASEAN
member states.
 ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST): Promotes cooperation in science and technology
research, development, and innovation among member states.
 ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR): A commission tasked with promoting and
protecting human rights in the region.
 ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM): Facilitates legal cooperation among member states, including the
sharing of legal best practices and capacity building.

These activities reflect ASEAN's efforts to promote peace, stability, prosperity, and cooperation among its diverse
member countries in Southeast Asia.
CHALLENGES FACED OR CONTROVERSIES, IF ANY.

We are going to delve into the complexities of ASEAN's geopolitical landscape

The Myanmar Conundrum

A primary challenge for ASEAN has been developing a response to the February 2021 coup in Myanmar. The
junta has violently suppressed protests, and the conflict with opposition forces has escalated into civil war.
Timor-Leste sided with Myanmar’s exiled government, leading to Myanmar’s military junta expelling Timor-
Leste’s top diplomat from Myanmar. The 2023 ASEAN Summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia, provided an
opportunity for ASEAN nations to address the situation in Myanmar. During the summit, ASEAN members
decided to take action by suspending Myanmar's role as the rotating chair for the 2026 summit. This decision
was significant as it signaled a collective stance against the military junta's actions and demonstrated solidarity
with the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. As a substitute, the Philippines was chosen to assume the role
of the rotating chair for the 2026 summit.

China's Shadow Looms Large

 ASEAN remains divided over how to address security challenges. These include China’s claims in the South China
Sea, human rights abuses, political repression by member states, narcotics trafficking, refugee flows, natural
disasters, and terrorism.
 Another long-standing challenge has been forming a joint response to China, particularly to maritime disputes
with Beijing in the South China Sea.

o Recent report that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) shakes hands with Philippines' Secretary of
Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo (R) during a joint press conference in Manila, Philippines, last March 19,
2024.
o He reiterated America's "ironclad" security commitments to the Philippines during a visit to Manila on
Tuesday.
o "These waterways are critical to the Philippines, to its security, to its economy," Mr Blinken said.
o "They're also critical to the interests of the region, the United States and the world," …
o "That's why we stand with the Philippines and stand by our ironclad defense commitments, including under
the mutual defence treaty." he added.

o Another report was published that China said on Tuesday the United States had "no right" to interfere in the
South China Sea, after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington stood by its commitments to
defend the Philippines against armed attack in the disputed waterway.
o "The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues
that are between China and the Philippines," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press
conference in Beijing.

The Great Power Dilemma

We explore ASEAN's delicate balancing act between the United States and China. Experience the tension between
economic interests and security concerns as ASEAN members grapple with forging alliances amidst competing
influences. From infrastructure investments to defense cooperation, uncover the strategies employed by ASEAN
countries to safeguard their autonomy in an increasingly polarized world.

 The United States, which has a strong interest in preventing China from controlling access to the South China
Sea, has continued military cooperation with ASEAN members, including the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore,
Indonesia, and Vietnam, and has increased its maritime presence in regional areas to enforce freedom of
navigation in international waters.
 ASEAN members are divided over their ties to China and to the United States. The region is in need of
investment, trade, and infrastructure development. Beijing has moved to meet these needs primarily through
becoming the leading trading partner of ASEAN, as well as through its sweeping Belt and Road Initiative. Its
dominant trade relationship with most Southeast Asian states, and its massive investment in Southeast Asia,
gives it enormous leverage in the region. For instance, China invested $7.3 billion in Indonesia’s first high-speed
railway, which began construction in 2015 and is set to expand throughout the main island of Java, despite
delays, cost overruns, and anger among people whose land was expropriated.
 Most ASEAN countries now believe that China has more overall influence in the region compared to the United
States, measured by economic relationships, defense networks, and diplomatic and cultural influence. But some
member states are anxious about becoming economically dependent on China and seek defense cooperation
with the United States to hedge against China’s growing military power.