Myanmer prepares to welcome world leaders to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit for the first time since the country began introducing political reforms roughly four years ago.
The meeting would be attended by US President Barack Obama، Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi، Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe، Chinese second-in-command Li Keqiang at the capital city of Naypyidaw for the crucial meet، that comes at a time of territorial disputes over South China Sea.
The meeting may air fresh discussions on the suppurating regional maritime row in South China Sea، as Vietnam and Philippines are looking for US support regarding to claim the waters contested with regional powerhouse China.
The sea route is of monumental importance to everyone including Washington as as third of world’s shipping transits through the contested sea. Apart from this، the area is believed to be rich in fish and oil and gas reserves below seabed.
Furthermore، the situation took a toll for disaster، as China who already claim the major proportion of the area had set up naval patrols in recent months while positioning a temporary oil rig at Vietnam claimed territory. Thus resulting in deadly anti-Chinese riots. Apart from China and Vietnam hauling over the South China Sea region، Taiwan، Brunei and Malaysia lay claims for parts of the sea.
The ASEAN summit meetings will begin with leaders from Southeast Asia region attending، while expanding to Thursday to accommodate leaders from Russia، China، India، Japan and South Korea among others.
US President Obama is set to meet with Myanmer President Thein Sein and oppostion leaders along with Nobel-laureate Aung San Suu Kyi during his two night stay at the nation، where he is looking ahead to show support for the landmark elections slated for 2015.
“Myanmar is stepping into a diplomatic spotlight here، the largest gathering of world leader it has ever seen.” Al Jazeera’s  Marga Ortigas reports from capital city Naypyidaw، adding “There will still be much focus on maritime tensions but aside from that، there will be talks on larger economic integration as well. They plan to be one economic community by 2015. They hope to come up with more formalised statement by the end of the summit،”.