Postponement of Blinken’s China trip a ‘pity’; ASEAN paying close attention to US-China relations: Vivian Balakrishnan

SINGAPORE: Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Saturday that the postponement of a long-anticipated visit to China by United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken was a"pity" and expressed hope for both sides to exercise restraint.suspected Chinese spy balloon

Speaking to reporters during a virtual doorstop interview, Dr Balakrishnan said the incident was a reminder that the world is not in a settled and calm condition, adding that many things could still go wrong in the next year or two. Urging both sides to engage more and have open lines of communication, he said this will help to reduce misunderstandings and the prospects of such incidents.

Dr Balakrishnan was wrapping up his two-day working visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he attended the 32nd ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.The worsening situation in Myanmar dominated the meeting, despite an agenda focused on food and energy security as well as cooperation in finance and health.

While ASEAN members have different levels of concerns regarding the situation in Myanmar, Dr Balakrishnan said the bloc remains"completely united" in the call for cessation of violence and national reconciliation. "The most important thing, actually, is to stop the violence internally, to begin the process of national reconciliation - for everyone within Myanmar to sit at the same table as equals and to have a sincere dialogue," said Dr Balakrishnan.

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