Phnom Penh, Nov 10 (dpa): With heightened security measures and banners crisscrossing city streets, Phnom Penh has kicked off its hosting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) summit on Thursday - the first time the event has been held face-to-face since the coronavirus pandemic.
As chair of the annual conference, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is hosting the summit in the imposing Sokha Hotel from November 10 to 13 in Phnom Penh, under the theme "Asean A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together" to foster harmony, peace, and prosperity in the region.
Post-Covid economic recoveries, geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, the crisis in Myanmar, South China Sea disputes, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and climate change issues are all on the agenda. Myanmar's junta chief has not been invited.
On Wednesday, fireworks to mark Cambodia’s Independence Day thundered overhead as pre-summit security was tightened on the streets. Thoroughfares were temporarily cordoned off as throngs of police motorbikes escorted visiting dignitaries in motorcades across the city.
Numerous world leaders will also join the event, including US President Joe Biden and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. In a meeting with Hun Sen on Wednesday, Li Keqiang suggested promoting the strategic partnership between the two nations to "a higher level”, according to a press release.
On November 12 and 13, US President Joe Biden will attend the summit, where he is expected to deliver a message of solidarity as part of efforts to counter China's influence in the region. Southeast Asian nations, meanwhile, will retain a focus on Asean centrality.
ASEAN is a union of 10 Southeast Asian countries which promotes diplomatic cooperation on economic, political and security interests. The union has an estimated total population of about 668 million people.- dpa
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