William Hague concludes Myanmar visit; Philippines protests Chinese ‘intrusion’ in South China Sea; Three million Catholics gather despite terror threat in Philippines; Chief of Indian Army Staff visits Myanmar; Cambodia reassures of its ASEAN responsibil
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  • According to reports, UK’s foreign secretary William Hague concluded his trip to Myanmar on 6 January 2012. Hague is the first British foreign secretary to have visited Myanmar in the past more than fifty years. During his visit Hague said that the Sein government has to take more steps towards democracy. He met with Aung San Suu Kyi and also the senior members of the government. 1

    In another development, two Chinese vessels and a military ship were spotted within the Philippine territory on 11 and 12 December 2011 causing furore in the Philippines. The Department of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest in that regard to the Chinese Embassy in Manila on 5 January. Philippines have been wary of Chinese intentions on South China Sea and have been vocal in registering its protest on the matter. 2

    According to reports, more than three million Roman Catholic worshippers paraded through Manila in an annual procession Monday despite a warning from the president that terrorists might target the gathering. President Benigno Aquino III warned on 8 January at a news conference that several terrorists planned to disrupt the event and had reportedly been seen in the capital. 3

    Reports noted that India’s Chief of Army Staff General V.K. Singh is on a five-day visit to Myanmar, starting 5 January 2012. The visit is expected to bolster defence ties and mutual understanding between the two countries. During his five-day visit from January 5 to 9, the Army Chief will meet Myanmar's President, Commander-in-Chief of its defence forces, Chief of General Staff of the Army and other senior officials in the government. 4

    In other developments in the region, Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, on 5 January 2012, said that Cambodia would chair the ASEAN summit 2012 with full responsibility. He also pledged on ASEAN’s behalf that the organization would achieve ASEAN community by 2015. Cambodia’s ties with Thailand have not been smooth in the past as the two are entangled in territorial disputes. 5

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