ASEAN Meeting: Blinken Speaks with Chinese Counterpart about Tensions in the Region

The ASEAN meeting was overshadowed by ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea and other disagreements. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of escalating and unlawful actions in the region, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the US against fueling the tensions.

Blinken reiterated the US commitment to a free and open Asia-Pacific region, while criticizing China's behavior in the South China Sea. The two diplomats had open and productive discussions on key bilateral, regional, and global issues.

The conversation lasted approximately one hour and twenty minutes and included concerns about China's provocative actions, including the simulation of a blockade during Taiwan's presidential inauguration. Wang emphasized China's stance on Taiwan and warned of increasing risks and challenges in US-China relations.

The Philippines called out China for mischaracterizing a provisional arrangement regarding the resupply of Filipino troops on the beached naval vessel Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal. The tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have raised fears of a conflict that could involve the US due to their mutual defense agreement with the Philippines.