South-East Asian diplomats meet with China as friction mounts over Beijing's sweeping maritime claims

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN Tran Duc Binh, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar Aung Kyaw Moe, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Laos' Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, and Secretary-General of Asean Dr Kao Kim Hourn attend the 57th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting at National Convention Center, in Vientiane, Laos, July 26, 2024. - Reuters

VIENTIANE: Top diplomats from South-East Asia met Friday (July 26) in Laos with China’s foreign minister for talks that come as friction escalates over Beijing’s growing effort to press its sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Several members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations have territorial disputes with China, which have led to direct confrontations that many worry could lead to broader conflict.