Leaders of 16 Asian countries, including China and Japan, came to a general agreement on climate change on Wednesday, setting aside disagreements over Myanmar's democracy protests. In a declaration signed in Singapore, leaders of the East Asia Summit (EAS) pledged to stabilize greenhouse gas levels in the long term. However, the agreement does not include specific targets for reducing emissions or capping their growth by a certain date. It will serve as a framework for climate change discussions at a UN meeting in Bali next month. The EAS, consisting of 10 Southeast Asian nations plus China, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, also agreed that all countries should contribute to addressing climate change based on the principles of shared but varied responsibilities and capabilities. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explained that the declaration is a statement of intent rather than a formal treaty with specific restrictions. Australia believes that the agreement will facilitate negotiations for a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations is optimistic that the Bali meeting will initiate discussions over the next two years to reach a new global framework to combat climate change. Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer noted a shift in China and India's stance, acknowledging the need to address emissions. China and India, major carbon dioxide emitters, have been resistant to setting specific targets and are calling for developed nations to lead in emission reductions and finance cleaner energy technologies. Despite the challenges, Australia remains hopeful for progress. According to Emmanuel Fages, a carbon analyst at French bank Societe Generale, it is unrealistic to expect countries like China and India to be as proactive as Japan in addressing climate change. Fages also noted that there is no uniformity in Asia. The only specific target in the climate agreement pertained to increasing forest cover by 15 million hectares by 2020. The focus on climate change and trade at the East Asian leaders' meeting was overshadowed by concerns about Myanmar's lack of commitment to democracy during ASEAN's 40th anniversary celebrations. The Philippines separated itself from other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations by demanding the immediate release of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed strong disapproval of Suu Kyi's treatment and insisted on her release. Arroyo also stated that the Philippine Congress may not approve the charter unless Myanmar shows a commitment to democracy and frees Suu Kyi. The charter, which establishes ASEAN's legal identity and upholds principles of democracy and human rights, must be approved within 12 months after being signed on Tuesday. Singapore's Lee emphasized that all countries must ratify it for it to take effect. He criticized the ineffectiveness of the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Myanmar, stating that the regime's decision to isolate itself has rendered the sanctions futile. Lee pointed out that choosing not to do business in Myanmar has no impact on the regime.