Blinken calls on China, ASEAN countries to hold Myanmar accountable

BANGKOK, July 10 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday urged China and members of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN to place strain on Myanmar’s rulers to return to democracy and to carry it accountable to a peace deal agreed with the group.

“It’s incumbent on China and in China’s curiosity to see Burma transfer again to the trail it was on,” Blinken stated, utilizing the nation’s former identify.

Talking at a information convention in Bangkok throughout a tour of Asia, Blinken referred to as on members of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to carry Myanmar’s authorities accountable to “five-point consensus” peace settlement.

“Regional assist for the regime’s adherence to the 5 level consensus developed by ASEAN is crucial – that has not occurred,” Blinken stated.

“The ASEAN international locations want to carry the regime accountable for that … proceed to demand the cessation of violence and launch of prisoners,” he added.

ASEAN’s 9 members and Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in April final 12 months signed an settlement that included fast cessation of violence and dialogue amongst all events.

“There was no constructive motion on that.”

Myanmar’s army has elevated strain towards ethnic minority armies since a coup final 12 months and is encountering resistance on a number of fronts, together with militia teams allied with the ousted authorities.

Final week, Thailand scrambled fighters after Myanmar jet breached its airspace within the nation’s northwest. learn extra

Myanmar shares a 2,400-km (1,500-mile) border with Thailand, its longest with any neighbour.

America and Thailand on Sunday signed agreements to deepen the international locations’ already sturdy ties as Washington steps up its efforts to counter China’s increasing affect in Asia.

Blinken’s go to comes a day after he met Chinese language overseas minister Wang Yi in Indonesia on the sidelines of the G20 overseas minister’s assembly. learn extra

China’s Wang has been engaged in intense diplomacy throughout Asia in latest weeks and met Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday.

Blinken final 12 months postponed a visit to Thailand, the oldest U.S. ally in Asia, after halting a regional tour when a COVID-19 case was discovered within the press corps accompanying him.

After assembly Blinken, Prayuth stated the connection between the 2 international locations “proceed to extend in momentum.”

The Biden administration has sought to shore up ties with a area that had change into unsure about U.S. dedication throughout a interval of perceived neglect underneath Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump. At the moment, China expanded its affect whereas pushing funding and commerce integration.

After Thailand, he’ll make a beforehand unscheduled cease in Tokyo to supply condolences to the Japanese folks after the killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the State Division stated. learn extra

Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; Modifying by Edmund Klamann and Raissa Kasolowsky

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.