Intense Cold Wars Rivalry between United state and china
The Asean group of Southeast Asia welcomed global leaders on Wednesday to the capital of Indonesia for a meeting that is expected to be dominated by concerns about the United state and china competition overshadowing the area.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which has cautioned against being embroiled in conflicts involving other powers, will meet with Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States, Li Qiang, premier of China, and representatives from a number of its allies, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India. Neither Chinese President Xi Jinping nor US Vice President Joe Biden will be present at the summit.
Concern from Southeast Asia on China’s actions in the South China Sea, a major trade route where some of its members have conflicting claims with China, is high on the agenda. On a long-discussed code of conduct for the canal, the bloc is eager to come to an agreement.
The US and its allies have reiterated Asean’s requests for freedom of overflight and navigation as well as a prohibition on establishing a physical presence in the region. In the disputed waters, China has erected a number of infrastructure, including runways.
In response to China’s illegitimate maritime claims and aggressive actions, the vice president will emphasize the United States’ and Asean’s common interest in maintaining the rules-based international order, particularly in the South China Sea, a White House official said on Tuesday. China produced a chart with its “10-dash line” defining what it deems their seas just before this week’s conferences, which looked to extend its claims in the South China Sea. Several Asean members rejected the map.
While others are more hesitant, certain Asean states have established close diplomatic, commercial, and military relations with China. The effectiveness of the United States’ courtship of Asean nations has varied. Asean said it needs to “strengthen stability in the maritime sphere in our region… and explore new initiatives towards these ends” in a draft statement it would release this week, which was obtained by Reuters.
The draft was “very weak on the issues of the South China Sea,” according to political expert Lina Alexandra of the think group CSIS. Observing that the Philippines was growing impatient with Asean when it came to providing assistance on the South China Sea, Alexandra stated, “This really threatens Asean’s credibility.” The alternative is that they approach the major nations and invite them to the area, which is quite dangerous if Asean is not helpful.
A intimate friend of the situation confirmed the draft. On Tuesday, Asean Chair Joko Widodo of Indonesia issued a warning to its members, urging them not to act as pawns in conflicts between superpowers. Following an Asean-only meeting this week, leaders will have discussions on Wednesday to reaffirm the region’s importance in the face of accusations that it is not doing enough to pressure Myanmar’s military leaders to work together on a peace plan for their conflict-torn nation.
Since the generals toppled an elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in early 2021, Asean member Myanmar has been engulfed in conflict. The five-point agreement of Asean, which calls for a halt to violence and discussion between all sides, has been adopted, but the generals have only given it lip regard.
On Tuesday, Myanmar rejected a request from Asean for its armed forces “in particular” to de-escalate the situation. Additionally, Myanmar gave up its right to lead the group in 2026 to the Philippines. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam are all members of Asean.