President Barack Obama is hosting Southeast Asian leaders at an unprecedented summit in California started Monday as he looks to deepen ties with the region’s fast-growing economies. But a nation not invited — neighbouring power China — will be the proverbial elephant in the room as the leaders grapple with sensitive territorial disputes. US officials have been saying the two-day summit at the Sunnylands estate is not directed against China, but the military might and economic clout of the rising Asian power is likely to loom over their discussions.
Some things to know about the summit--
Top issue: South China Sea
The top security issue on the agenda. Although the US is not a claimant, but it has spoken out against China’s conduct and the Navy has sailed close to some of the China-built artificial islands, angering Beijing but getting some quiet encouragement from most Asean members. The US is looking for Asean to take a unified stance by calling for the territorial disputes to be resolved according to international law.
Trade and TPP
America has longstanding economic interests in Southeast Asia. US companies have invested $226bnin the region, and two-way trade was $254bn last year. On Day One at Sunnylands, the leaders discussed how to expand trade and investment with the help of US entrepreneurship and innovation. Also likely on the agenda: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, Obama’s flagship achievement on trade. The four Asean members in TPP — Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam — will want to know if the US Congress will ratify the pact, which remains in doubt. Other Asean members, like Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, have expressed interest in joining TPP at a later date.
Threat from Dae’sh
The US wants to deepen counter-terrorism and intelligence cooperation with Southeast Asian nations since Dae’sh appears to be gaining a foothold in the region.
Awkward questions about human rights
The 10 members of Asean run the gamut of political systems, from open democracy to one-party rule. Obama will emphasise the importance of the rule of law and civil society but likely avoid open criticism of a particular nation. Human rights activists have faulted the US for inviting unelected leaders, like Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who seized power in a May 2014 military coup. Also attending is Cambodia’s Hun Sen, who has used violence and intimidation against political opponents and is making his first official US visit during a 31-year tenure as prime minister.
