Leaders vow co-op on security

Asean nations agreed on a common approach on US-led Indo-Pacific initiative

Thai PM makes no mentions of plight of Rohingyas and South China Sea dispute

Southeast Asian leaders yesterday agreed to work together on regional economy and security to strengthen their positions amid growing US-China tensions, as they wrapped up this year's first summit in Bangkok.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will need its collective economic strength for bargaining power globally, especially amid the trade tensions between the world's top two economies, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told a news conference, as chairman of the 34th Asean Summit.

Prayuth urged Asean nations to complete negotiations this year for the China-initiated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact that includes 16 countries.

"This will help Asean handle the changes and uncertainty that will happen in the region going forward, particularly the impacts of trade tension between Asean's important trade partners. If we can do this, we will have the bargaining power and base for negotiation. Because when combined, we are 650 million people, the largest regional bloc in the world," the Thai prime minister said.

Asean countries also agreed on a common approach on a US-led Indo-Pacific initiative, at a time when US-China tensions were rising and forcing Asean countries to take sides.

Prayuth hailed the bloc's agreement on the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as a  "significant step" for the region.

The endorsed outlook document, seen by Reuters, acknowledges  "maritime issues such as unresolved maritime disputes that have the potential for open conflict" as existing and emerging geopolitical challenges.

It outlines maritime cooperation  "for peaceful settlement of disputes". It also aims for connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prayuth's speech made no mentions of major issues such as the plight of Myanmar's fleeing Rohingyas and the South China Sea dispute.