ASEAN is on the right track. Now, they should work actively and other Asian countries should act properly. If it happens, Asian will get a shining Asia.
by Swadesh Roy
35th ASEAN Summit which was held on 2-3 November in Thailand, represented the theme “advancing partnership for sustainability”. An ASEAN-UN meeting was followed with this 35th ASEAN Summit. In this ASEAN-UN meeting, UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres repeated his call for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of displaced Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state. UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres asked many times in many forums including UN for a dignified solution for Rohingya refugees. But for the first time, the UN chief said ASEAN has ramped up their engagement on the Rohingya issue and both Myanmar government and UN have welcomed the engagement.
In fact, the theme of the 35thASEAN summit was an echo of the UN chief’s proposal that he mentioned earlier as well. The recent ASEAN summit’s theme was “advancing partnership for sustainability and they detected two objects which contradict the sustainability for the partnership of the ASEAN nations. Both the objects, the opposition parts Bangladesh and China are not the members of the ASEAN countries but the neighbours.
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| Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2019 shows a view of the meeting venue of the 35th ASEAN summit and related summits in Bangkok, Thailand. |
One of two objects relates Bangladesh with ASEAN country Myanmar about Rohingya refugee problem. Another object indicates China with the countries Brunai, Malaysia, Philipines and Vietnam about controlling the authority of South-China Sea. Following the ASEAN summit, ASEAN-China meeting also held on 3rd November. In this summit, the leaders of the ASEAN countries said they are very aware about what happens in the South-China Sea. Consequently, they asked everyone for avoiding any activity that leads to more conflict.
The 35thASEAN summit held at that time when Asia is shining. The ASEAN leaders also concerned that the summit’s theme was “advancing partnership for sustainability” and they were focusing keenly to find out the solutions of main two problems of Asia. They urged that without solving the Rohingya refugee problem and the controlling power problem of South-China Sea, it is difficult to implement advancing ASEAN and building the future of that Asia which will lead the economy and the global market of the world.
The geopolitical and economic position of Bangladesh is very important. It interconnects countries between two major rising economy of Asia; China and Bangladesh. Besides, its maritime area, Bay of Bengal is connected with Indian Ocean. In future, geo-political, economic and military power in the Indian Ocean is strategically very important for the Asian countries. Relatively, Indo-pacific Sea line and sea resources will play a significant role in the future military power and economy. Through the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is connected with it. That’s why, like the Indo-pacific Sea, Bay of Bengal also needs a peaceful environment. On the other hand, for the Asian connectivity with the world, Bangladesh is an important corridor. Similarly, it is also important that the economy and the social stability of Bangladesh can advance without any unpredicted interruption. The Rohingya refugee crisis is an unnecessary interruption in the economy and social stability of Bangladesh. Realising this matter of fact, leaders of 35thASEAN summit, put emphasis on the effort to create a conductive environment so that Rohingya’s who are leading a life of refuge in Bangladesh, can reveal themselves in Myanmar’s Rakhine state according to a 52 point statement issued on the ASEAN summit. ASEAN leaders reiterated the necessity of finding a comprehensive and durable solution on the Rohingya crisis by addressing the root cause of conflict in the Rakhine state. They encouraged the continued and effective dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh for facilitating the repatriation of Rohingya to their place of Origin, Rakhine.
The UN Secretary General remarks and the position of ASEAN leaders helped to melt the ice of mysterious and brutal Myanmar’s. The Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, the Myanmar government will not shrink from its responsibility on the Rohingya issue. The whole world knows, Suu Kyi, do not have the full authority of the Myanmar government. But it is also a step forward regarding Rohingya issue. Now, the Asian countries and the UN even the China and India should empower Suu Kyi that she can sit with ASEAN along with China, India and its counterpart Bangladesh for resolving this Rohingya refugee problem.
Joining this summit, the Bangladesh leader Mohammad Faruk Khan, Chairperson of Bangladesh parliamentary Committee of Foreign Affairs shared his views with The Bangkok Post, the major daily newspaper in Thailand. He was asked, what do you think about Thailand, a current chair of ASEAN, can facilitate the repatriation of Rohingya people? Mr. Khan answered very intelligently by saying that, “I will not use the word ‘repatriation’, because it is a technical word. Rather, I will use the word ‘return’; the return of Myanmar citizens to Myanmar. We look forward to Thailand impressing upon Myanmar that this is a situation, they must try to solve. Thailand can tell Myanmar, because it has people from different religions and ethnic groups living together in peace which bring respect and development all over the world.” In another point of view, he also expressed his best hope that 35thASEAN summit will take stock of improvement that has been made to take further possible actions for resolving the problem immediately. Mr. Khan’s best hope for extending guideline is also important. In fact, this summit’s resolution will not work properly if they do not take further actions for solving the problems immediately. It is reality that all the ASEAN countries are more vibrant in economically and politically than past. Therefore, ASEAN countries show their power so that they can solve their problem without the help of west, even the United Nations. Myanmar is the member of ASEAN countries and it is easy for them to solve one their member’s unethical work. Myanmar had not only out rooted their 1.1 million citizens and bound them to take a life of refuge in Bangladesh, but also they committed act of genocide; as a member of the ASEAN, Myanmar cannot do this. It is high time ASEAN countries should take necessary follow up about how quickly Myanmar can resolve its own made problem.
On the other hand, Malaysia, Brunai, Philipines and Vietnam along with some other countries of Asia have a problem with China regarding the controlling power of South-China Sea. In fact, China itself wants the total controlling power over South-China Sea because of their dream project Maritime Silk Road and the gas, oil and other resources of South-China Sea. China threatened ASEAN countries which are claiming their authority in South-China Sea that they will give the answer with their canons. In this situation, canon is not the suitable arms for resolving the conflict of South-China Sea. China needs to walk on the way to soft diplomacy. Truly, if they chose the way of canon, the existing big power America will get the proper opportunity showing themselves more physically in the South-China Sea. Then, The ASEAN countries which are part of the conflict will hire the help of America. It will not be a healthy environment for making Asia great. But if China wants to be a greater economy power in the next world, they have to help more efficiently and actively for a great and shining Asia. When Asia will be the destination of world, China will be a greater economy power. Otherwise, it will be engaged in conflict with many old powers like America, Japan and others.
In the conclusion, it can be said that 35th ASEAN Summit is on the right track. Now, they should work actively and other Asian countries should act properly. If it happens, Asian will get a shining Asia.
Swadesh Roy, Senior Journalist, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is a highest state award winning journalist and can be reached at swadeshroy@gmail.com
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