Asean must balance US and China for regional stability

The 17-point declaration at the end of the US-Asean Summit called for shared commitment to preserve the peace, security and stability of Southeast Asia while joining hands to combat terrorism, violent extremism, as well as human and drug trafficking activities, among others
This was the first time an Asean Summit was held in the United States, and the historic meet could be interpreted as a practical move by Obama seven years after he first advocated the “Pivot to Asia” policy, marking a significant progress Washington has made in its relationship with the Asean region in recent years. The deepening of relationship with Asean highlights the fact that the region’s strategic location has been gaining increased attention from Washington, especially in view of the fact that Asia houses half of the world’s population and contributes 60 per cent of the global GDP, and has emerged as a global economic and political centre.
At the end of the summit, Obama unveiled a US-Asean Connect programme, which is set to erect a platform of coordination to lure more Asean member states into US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Currently only Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia have joined the group.
The summit has not only realised Washington’s pledge towards the Asia-Pacific region but has also accentuated its recognition of Asean’s strategic importance to the United States in the areas of trade, maritime security and counter-terrorism initiatives, among others.
That said, such a blatant move of attempting to bring Asean closer to it has also protruded America’s chronic confrontation with the region’s giant neighbour China. Although the US has reiterated that strengthening trade relationship with Asean is not meant to rival or compete with China, it is obvious that Washington’s return to the region has been engineered to re-establish its influences in Asia Pacific, or in other words check Beijing’s increasingly visible presence in the region.
With tension running high over South China Sea, the recent land reclamation and missile deployment by China in disputed seas have alarmed Vietnam, the Philippines and other regional countries which have claims to parts of South China Sea. There is a strong likelihood Washington has hoped to join forces with Asean states to halt the advances of China.
Washington, nevertheless, may not get its way as some regional countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia have opted to condone Beijing’s menacing moves in disputed waters even though they are also concerned about China’s actions.
China has emerged as a powerful economic force in Asia over the past 10 years while the United States is constantly seen by Asean as a power that safeguards the region’s security.
As such, Asean has in recent years become a target for both China and the United States in gaining stronger foothold in the region. While Asean finds itself tightly squeezed between Washington and Beijing, the region has fortunately managed to maintain the much-needed equilibrium to keep the region stable and safe.
The cordial relationship between Washington and Asean states indeed plays a pivotal role in preserving peace and stability in the entire Asia Pacific region. In a similar manner, China with its immense market and economic clout as Asean’s number one trade partner for the sixth year running, is a major force the region cannot afford to downplay.