10th November, 2022
With heightened security measures and banners crisscrossing city streets, Phnom Penh has kicked off its hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on Thursday.
It is the first time the event had been held face-to-face since the coronavirus pandemic.
As chair of the annual conference, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen would host the summit from Nov. 10 to 13 in Phnom Penh, under the theme: “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together” to foster harmony, peace, and prosperity in the region.
Post-COVID economic recoveries, geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, the crisis in Myanmar, South China Sea disputes, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and climate change issues were all on the agenda.
Myanmar’s junta chief had not been invited.
On Wednesday, fireworks to mark Cambodia’s Independence Day thundered overhead as pre-summit security was tightened on the streets.
Thoroughfares were temporarily cordoned off as throngs of police motorbikes escorted visiting dignitaries in motorcades across the city.
Numerous world leaders would also join the event, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
In a meeting with Hun Sen on Wednesday, Li suggested promoting the strategic partnership between the two nations to “a higher level”, according to a press release.
On Nov. 12 and 13, U.S. President Joe Biden would attend the summit, where he was expected to deliver a message of solidarity as part of efforts to counter China’s influence in the region.
Southeast Asian nations, meanwhile, would retain a focus on ASEAN centrality.
ASEAN is a union of 10 Southeast Asian countries which promoted diplomatic cooperation on economic, political and security interests.
The union had an estimated total population of about 668 million people.
(dpa/NAN)