The usual shows of unity and diplomacy among ASEAN leaders take on an unexpected tone with the absence of US
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Southeast Asian leaders have gathered in Jakarta for the final summit of the year, hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. However, this meeting is marred by a series of intricate and seemingly insoluble issues, including Myanmar's enduring civil conflict, escalating tensions in the South China Sea, and the enduring rivalry between the United States and China.
Under stringent security measures, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings kicked off in the Indonesian capital. Notably, the absence of U.S. President Joe Biden, a regular participant in these summits, casts a somber tone over the customary displays of unity and diplomatic handshakes among ASEAN leaders. While the ASEAN heads of state convened on Tuesday, they planned to engage with their Asian and Western counterparts from Wednesday to Thursday, turning this into a significant platform for discussions on free trade, climate change, global security, and geopolitics.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang's participation in these meetings, including the 18-member East Asia Summit, was highly anticipated, especially in terms of his scheduled meeting with U.S. officials. In President Biden's absence, Vice President Kamala Harris and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov joined the proceedings, highlighting the strategic importance of this diplomatic gathering.
President Biden's non-attendance at the ASEAN meeting does not signify a diminished U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific or Southeast Asian nations. The Biden administration has actively sought to strengthen America's engagement with the region and enhance security ties, a strategy not unnoticed by China.
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