Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
11 May 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with other ASEAN leaders, gathered for the Closing Session of the 24th ASEAN Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Some leaders from Southeast Asia have forced the regional bloc for a more united stand on the “gunboat diplomacy” of China.  Vietnam continues to exercise restraint and demanded China to withdraw, but it stood ground and continued to “slander’’ Vietnam.

In his statement, Nguyen said that they denounce the action and would “resolutely protect’’ its sovereignty in accordance with international law. In the same light, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is now on his last attendance at ASEAN, said that the bloc has always employed a rules-based approach to disputes.

In his opening speech, President Thein made no direct reference to the tensions but said that ASEAN should continue to “play a greater role with more proactive engagements with external parties.’’ He added that ASEAN should also be contributing more towards peace and prosperity to the global community.

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