A fortnightly snapshot of what’s making the news in Southeast Asia.
APEC Leaders’ Summit sets the scene for Thailand in 2022
With much of the world’s attention focused toward the global climate change negotiations taking place within COP26, it was reasonably easy to miss the virtual APEC Leaders’ Summit. Wrapping up in the early hours of the morning on 15 November, New Zealand Prime Minister and 2021 APEC host Jacinda Ardern affirmed APEC’s vision for delivering a coordinated response to the dual impacts of COVID-19 and climate change.
In comparison to the global negotiations at G20 and COP26, the online APEC Leaders’ meeting generated little contention, producing a Communique, Aotearoa Plan of Action that reflected consensus in the following areas: the promotion of trade and economies in a post-pandemic era, the commitment to combat climate change and enhance sustainability, and ‘inclusive growth’—including a focus on Indigenous economies—as a core of the APEC agenda.
Ardern now passes the APEC baton to Thailand. Speaking at the APEC CEO Summit, Thailand’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha noted his commitment to ensuring APEC’s balanced approach to advancing social, economic and environmental goals through the 2022 agenda.
Thailand’s APEC agenda offers an important complement to Indonesia’s hosting of the G20 in 2022, and positions Southeast Asia at the centre of global dialogue on economic governance at a critical time for the region’s economy.
Myanmar’s junta doubles down on control
Myanmar’s state media has reported that former state counsellor, Aung Sang Suu Kyi—detained in an undisclosed location since the military coup in February this year—has now been charged with electoral fraud related to the country’s 2020 elections. A number of others, including former president, former President Win Myint, and former chair of the election commission, U Hla Thein face similar charges.
The recent charges of “election fraud and lawless acts” add to a range of accusations levelled against Aung Sang Suu Kyi which include “breaching the official secrets act, corruption and breaking coronavirus restrictions.” It’s not clear when the charges will be heard, and Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s legal team continues to operate under a military imposed gag order. The military junta having relied on electoral fraud as justification for the February coup have now advised elections will not be held until August 2023, further extending their hold on power in the country.
In other significant news from Myanmar, American journalist Danny Fenster, arrested in May this year was freed from prison after months of detention, and only days after receiving an 11-year prison sentence from Myanmar’s military courts.
Fenster’s release was brokered at the highest levels by former US ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, but the terms of exchange remain unclear. In a statement welcoming news of Fenster’s release, US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkin affirmed his commitment to “continue to call for the release of others who remain unjustly imprisoned in Burma.”
Myanmar General Min Aung Hliang excluded from ASEAN Summit
ASEAN held its summit meeting (26-28 October 2021) without the presence of the Myanmar military junta. A courageous and rare move. As the chair of ASEAN, Brunei did not extend the invitation to General Min Aung Hliang, who staged the coup against Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Instead, the ASEAN chair chose to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar to the meeting. Brunei invited a Myanmar highest-ranking veteran diplomat Chan Aye, who is viewed as a non-political representative to attend the meeting but she did not show up. The summit meeting proceeded without the participation of Myanmar.
Myanmar viewed the decision as an “assault to the sovereignty of our nation.”
The tension between Myanmar and ASEAN raises concerns, including the potential that Myanmar might be dismembered or resign from ASEAN. It is the first time that ASEAN has refused attendance by the highest-ranking representative from a member state.
As the incoming chair of ASEAN in 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia also hinted that Min Aung Liang would not likely be invited to attend next year summit meeting. During the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Hun Sen bluntly said that “Now we are in the situation of ASEAN minus one… It is not because of ASEAN, but because of Myanmar.” However, according to Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, the invitation would be contingent on whether the general would make progress and allow the ASEAN special envoy to meet all stakeholders in Myanmar.
Cambodia to take on the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN for 2022
At the end of ASEAN Summit on 28 October, Brunei, the incumbent chair of ASEAN, handed over the ceremonial gavel to Cambodia. Cambodia will chair the ASEAN meetings from 2022 under the theme “ASEAN ACT: Addressing Challenges Together.” Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed Cambodia’s strong commitment in building “an equitable, strong and inclusive ASEAN Way.”
Cambodia will have many big challenges ahead. First, the conclusion of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea is expected next year. Many caution that given the close relationship between Cambodia and China, final negotiations between ASEAN and China will not be so smooth. Second, Cambodia needs to lead ASEAN through the US-China rivalry. The idea that the ASEAN bloc is not interested in choosing sides may soon be irrelevant as the two giants continue on a path of competition. Third, the handling of Covid-19 remains a top priority for ASEAN chair. Most ASEAN countries (e.g. Thailand) have reopened borders, yet a few remain closed, and the economic challenges continue to be uneven. As a chair, Cambodia must navigate a difficult and potentially contentious agenda.
On a positive note, Brunei’s handling of the Myanmar issue (as discussed above) has set a clear path, removing some of the anticipated burden for Cambodia in dealing with the military junta. Many observers remain confident that Cambodia can maintain a firm stance on Myanmar in the year ahead.
Thailand announced the free quarantine for fully vaccinated foreign travellers
Thai authorities have announced a new policy to enable fully vaccinated foreign travellers from over 60 countries to enter Thailand without quarantine. Australia is one of those identified in the list. Travellers from identified countries will be required to undergo one night stay in an approved-hotel arranged by the government and return a negative Covid-19 test before they are allowed to travel freely in Thailand.
Soon after the policy was adopted and announced, the Bangkok airport welcomed more than a thousand travellers and visitors in the first week of November 2021.
With this policy in place, Thailand hopes to revive its tourism sector. In Thailand, the tourism industry takes 12% percent of annual GDP and earns $50 billion for Thailand every year. If this plan goes well, one should expect that Thailand will be soon again be the most visited country in Southeast Asia.
Sovinda Po is a Research Assistant at the Griffith Asia Institute.
