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Foreign ministers

Tensions Run High at Asean Summit as US and China Officials Avoid Eye Contact

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Antony Blinken's awkward encounter with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov at the Asean summit in Phnom Penh on Friday highlighted the heightened tensions between the United States, China, and Russia. The US secretary of state's brief appearance in the meeting room, where the Chinese and Russian ministers were already seated, was met with a palpable absence of eye contact among the three officials. The incident came on the heels of Russia's statement criticizing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying Sergey Lavrov had spoken with everyone except those "hiding," a veiled reference to the US. The issues of a prisoner exchange and Taiwan remain contentious points between the US and China, further straining relations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Antony Blinken entered the meeting room at the East Asia Summit of the Asean meetings in Phnom Penh on Friday, where Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov were already seated.
  • When Mr. Wang entered before Mr. Blinken, he patted the Russian minister on the shoulder and gave him a quick wave before taking his own seat.
  • Mr. Lavrov waved back in response, but when Mr. Blinken entered the room, there was no eye contact among them.
  • The US and China have been at odds over issues such as Taiwan, with Beijing conducting military exercises near the island after Nancy Pelosi's visit.
  • The US and Russia have been strained due to the Ukraine war, and the US has sought to discuss prisoner exchange issues with Russia.
  • China cancelled a foreign ministers' meeting with Japan to protest a statement from the Group of 7 nations criticizing Beijing's military exercises.
  • Prak Sokhonn, the foreign minister of Cambodia, acknowledged that this year's situation is unprecedented and hoped that the talks would increase communication amidst heightened tensions.

Statistics:

  • 6: The number of chairs separating Antony Blinken from Sergey Lavrov in the meeting room.
  • 9: The years Brittney Griner was sentenced to in prison by Moscow for drug possession, a move seen as a politically charged case.
  • 1: The occasion on which the three men, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, and Sergey Lavrov, were supposed to take part in the same forum.
  • N/A: The specific date of the Asean summit, as it was not specified in the original text.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • AP Report
  • An unnamed diplomat in the room at the East Asia Summit
  • John Kirby, US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator
  • Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman
  • Prak Sokhonn, Foreign Minister of Cambodia

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