Leaders of 16 Asian countries, including China and Japan, came to a tentative agreement on climate change, setting vague goals to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the long term. The pact, signed in Singapore, lacks specific targets for reducing emissions but will be used as a starting point for discussions at a UN meeting in Bali. The East Asia Summit countries also agreed that all nations should contribute to addressing climate change based on their individual capabilities. Singapore's Prime Minister explained that the agreement is a statement of intent rather than a binding treaty. Australia believes that the pact will help in negotiating a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations is optimistic that the Bali meeting will initiate two years of discussions to establish a new global framework for combating climate change. Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, noted a shift in China and India's stance on the issue, with both countries acknowledging the need to address emissions. However, China and India have not committed to specific targets and are urging developed nations to lead in emissions reductions and support clean energy technology. Despite some reservations, Australia understands the challenges in reaching a consensus on this issue. Emmanuel Fages, a carbon analyst at French bank Societe Generale, pointed out that countries like China and India are not yet prepared to take the lead on climate change like Japan. He emphasized the diversity of Asia and noted that the only specific target in the climate pact was related to increasing forest cover. The group aimed to increase forest area by 15 million hectares by 2020. The focus on climate change and trade was overshadowed by concerns about Myanmar's lack of democracy during ASEAN's 40th anniversary celebrations. Myanmar's reluctance to embrace democracy strained the group's adoption of a legal charter. The Philippines stood out from other Association of South East Asian Nations members by demanding the immediate release of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed strong disapproval of Suu Kyi's treatment and insisted on her immediate release. Arroyo also warned that the Philippine Congress may not ratify the charter if Myanmar does not demonstrate a commitment to democracy and release Suu Kyi. The charter, which provides ASEAN with a legal identity and includes principles of democracy and human rights, must be ratified within 12 months after being signed on Tuesday. Singapore's Lee stated that all countries must ratify it for it to take effect. He also mentioned that the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Myanmar were ineffective due to the regime's decision to isolate itself from the international community. Lee emphasized that choosing not to do business in Myanmar has no impact on the regime.