Jakarta - Foreign ministers from around two dozen countries gathered in Indonesia for the annual ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), where discussions revolved around the U.S.-China rivalry, the war in Ukraine, and North Korean missiles. The presence of top diplomats from China, the United States, and Russia added to the potential for geopolitical tensions and confrontations during the event.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of seeking solutions rather than worsening regional and global issues. He called for understanding, wisdom, and support from developed and neighboring countries, urging a shift from a zero-sum approach to a win-win solution.

Ahead of the ARF, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had "candid and constructive" talks with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, aiming to manage differences between the two superpowers. Both sides expressed the need for a rational and pragmatic attitude to mend the relationship.

Last year's ARF was overshadowed by U.S.-China tensions following Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, leading to live-fire drills by Beijing and a halt in dialogue with Washington. This year's meeting aimed to keep communication channels open and responsibly manage competition to minimize misunderstandings.

In the context of these discussions, China monitored a U.S. Navy patrol plane passing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait while conducting military exercises near the island it claims as its province.

Aside from the ARF, the ASEAN member states hosted the East Asia Summit and held separate meetings with Blinken and other foreign ministers from Russia, Australia, Japan, Britain, and South Korea. The closed-door ARF session addressed North Korea's recent missile launch and featured Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who emphasized that the war in Ukraine would persist until the West abandons its quest for dominance.

Myanmar's ruling military was also a focal point of condemnation during the meetings, with Western nations criticizing the alleged atrocities committed against civilians. ASEAN suspended Myanmar from participating due to the junta's failure to uphold a previous agreement to end hostilities and engage in dialogue. The bloc's unity faced challenges regarding how to approach the crisis, resulting in delays in issuing a customary communique.