The <a href="https://www.archyde.com/biden-launches-economic-consultative-body-to-check-china-during-trip-to-korea-and-japan/" title="Biden launches economic consultative body to 'check China' during trip to Korea and Japan”>ASEAN Summit: The Good, The Bad, and The Very Confusing
Welcome, dear readers, to the annual soap opera that is the ASEAN summit—where leaders gather to engage in what can only be described as a game of geopolitical charades. This year, our scenesters are taking center stage in Laos, the chair of ASEAN. Forget executive directors! It’s ASEAN who really gets to call the shots, right? Or so we thought!
Now let’s see, over the past fifteen years, we’ve shifted gears from the US calling all the shots to the Chinese taking the lead like a high school drama queen who suddenly finds herself with a speaking role. Most ASEAN countries have been more evasive than a toddler being asked who knocked over the cookie jar. Instead of locking horns with China, they’ve largely let things slide, until now—cue the dramatic organ music!
This year, it seems we’ve had a bit of a breakthrough, or perhaps just a loud awakening as it were! China, led by Premier Li Qiang (more of a supporting actor than a lead), sent out some wafting scent of flexibility with a side of bonhomie. But don’t let that cozy talk fool you; there are whispers of discontent from the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and even the new prime minister of Thailand! Are you not entertained?
Let’s not forget, the Philippines are particularly miffed after Chinese boats have been auditioning for the role of “Destruction of Sovereignty” in their waters. Meanwhile, Vietnam, once shyly sipping its tea, has suddenly found its voice to ask for better behavior from its neighbor. Oh yes, it’s all kicked off—grab your popcorn!
Despite these shifts, we must ask ourselves: is the code of conduct for the South China Sea ever going to be anything more than a perpetually delayed sequel? At 20 years in the making, a bit like my habit of ignoring gym memberships, it’s clear there’s still a long way to go. Yet here comes the Quad—US, India, Japan, Australia—jumping in like Batman on a bad day, ready to back up its friends who are being bullied on the playground.
As the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration hit the airwaves, the call to respect “ASEAN centrality” and maritime security sounded like a heartfelt love letter to idealism—if only it were taken more seriously by the party crashing from the north. Oh, China! Playing the victim card and blaming US intervention feels rather like a magician saying, “Look over here!” while the real trick is happening behind their back.
India stepped in this year with a refreshing, “Hello! It’s our century too!” declaration that surely gave Xi Jinping a slight twitch—yes, that’s right, Xi, not every Eastern neighbor is willing to play along in your sandpit! We also saw Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, newly in office and trying to navigate the roles like a fresh cast member in a long-running sitcom. Although his language was a bit more muted this time, he still managed to dish out shades and reaffirm that Japan has no intentions of playing host to any sort of Chinese encroachment.
While the plot thickens and the dialogue gets heated, most countries are still straddling a tightrope. They want to cuddle up economically to China but are simultaneously having nightmares about whether they’ve accidentally invited a bear to cuddle with them. The South China Sea, once a picturesque landmark, is now more of a metaphorical private lake for China—multicolored buoys popping up everywhere, shouting “Mine!” It’s enough to make one question whether there’s a stage to retreat to or if we’re all stuck in this farce forever!
So welcome, dear readers, to the annual drama that is the ASEAN summit. With unexpected alliances, a sprinkle of tension, and a splash of humor, we’re left wondering whether this can all end with some level of understanding or if we’re in for a sequel nobody asked for. Only time will tell! Stay tuned!
Gurjit Singh is a former Indian ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, ASEAN, Ethiopia and the African Union. And frankly, I think he’d make a fantastic punchline in this geopolitical existential crisis!
