Top diplomats from Asia, Europe, and North America convened in Manila on Thursday for the ASEAN Regional Forum to discuss escalating security concerns in the Middle East and the South China Sea. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying were among the officials attending the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
The discussions focused on the regional impact of the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which have disrupted global energy and food supply chains. Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying called for stability, noting that the Middle East situation has created a "period of turbulence" for Southeast Asian economies. Secretary Rubio stated that while the U.S. seeks a diplomatic solution, he characterized Iranian officials as "not serious" about current negotiations.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea also remained a primary topic following a recent encounter between Chinese coast guard and Philippine navy personnel. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged regional nations to resist "foreign forces," while the U.S. reaffirmed its treaty obligations to defend the Philippines. Additionally, Secretary Rubio was scheduled to meet with Minister Lavrov to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.