Chu Thi Thanh Ha’s Post

The long-awaited Trilateral Summit between the ROK, Japan, and China was finally convened in #Seoul on 27 May 2024. Despite being delayed for four years due to COVID-19 and historical tensions, the Summit marked a crucial step in regional cooperation. As today's The Jakarta Post Post editorial mentioned, the Summit did not bring breakthroughs or even substantive deliverables, but it was indeed 'soul-soothing' as the three East Asian nations finally gathered and met in person to discuss some ongoing issues such as institutionalising the meeting, climate change, economic cooperation, possible negotiation for the trilateral FTA, etc. Sometimes, photos and symbols matter more than substances. The declaration - posted on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea website - provides an overview of the meeting. Consisting of 38 paragraphs, the leaders did not miss to mention its close engagement with ASEAN. It explicitly mentioned the continuation of the cooperation in the context of ASEAN-led mechanisms such as APT, EAS, and ARF. ASEAN is indeed the epicentre where the the three leaders can meet and share some kinship in the capital city of the rotating ASEAN Chair country. The APT mechanism has not been fully activated to unlock its potential. I personally have some doubts about furthering trilateral cooperation since each country has many issues that remain unsolved or even untouched, particularly historical paradoxes and territorial disputes. Nevertheless, accenuating 'Asian-ness' is dire in the uncertain geopolitical tension as the world cannot avoid the predicated competition between East and West. It is not about a new Cold War or the clash of ideologies observed during the Cold War. Instead, the clash of cultures and approaches. Korea and Japan are stuck in the middle of positioning themselves as the US allies and westernised Asian economic powers but inevitable entanglement and necessity to engage with China no matter what. #ASEAN's role, with its potential to unite all Asian countries and address uncomfortable issues, is a beacon of hope in promoting regional cooperation. Declaration: https://lnkd.in/gY9xi6Bn

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I am quoted by Nikkei Asia for their publication today on “Taiwan’s Lai poised to build on Tsai’s Southeast Asia outreach”. “Shifting the tech supply chain [to Southeast Asia] is a part of this policy, along with other industries”. This is likely to be a priority for the new administration’s outreach to the region. “Lai Ching-te can focus more on high-tech industry…cooperation with Southeast Asia in his term”. #Taiwan #ASEAN #Laichingte #TsaiIngwen

Happy 2025 everyone! My year is kicking in strong – I've just been published for The Diplomat's January 2025 issue on Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship this year. It's an expansion from my Lowy article from October last year, where I wrote about the need to temper expectations for Malaysia especially in light of the new ASEAN dynamic following a string of leadership changes across the region. In this article, I detail what can be expected from Malaysia's Chairmanship this year through its priorities, approaches and challenges. #Myanmar and the #SouthChinaSea will surely feature prominently in this year's agenda, while signature initiatives like the trilateral ASEAN-GCC-China summit is explored. I also argue for the need to revitalise existing ASEAN mechanisms that are directly tied to the legacy of Malaysia's past chairmanships, like the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Plus Three. We need to ensure these mechanisms' continued relevance in addressing regional challenges and reaffirm ASEAN centrality in navigating geopolitical complexities. If Malaysia's doesn't attempt to overhaul its own initiatives, who will? And finally, my sincerest gratitude to The Diplomat for the opportunity to share my thoughts on Malaysia's turn as chair. This has been a reflective process and I hope this piece offers valuable insights as we observe Malaysia's handling of ASEAN this year. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gvwDYhSE #ASEAN #ASEAN2025

East Asia Explorer: October 2024 - by Amb. Biren Nanda, Dr. Pradeep Taneja, Jayantika Rao T.V., and Anshita Shukla Read: cutt.ly/3eG8U41V In this issue, Dr. Pradeep Taneja analyses Indonesia-Australia ties as Indonesia transitions to the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. He examines various aspects of this bilateral relationship, with a key focus on defence cooperation, which has been strengthened by the signing of the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in August 2024. He also highlights the factors constraining the relationship, and how these might evolve under Indonesia’s new leader. In her brief, Jayantika Rao examines the agenda set by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his newly installed administration, drawing essential distinctions between Prabowo’s leadership style and that of his predecessor, Jokowi Widodo. She further explores how these emerging dynamics may influence Indonesia’s political landscape and its long-term policy alignments. Anshita Shukla reviews the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) held on October 10-11, 2024 in Vientiane, Laos. She highlights elements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in these two summits, and their main outcomes as reflected in official statements. She notes the absence of US President Biden from the EAS summit, and the implications for ASEAN centrality. Finally, Amb. Biren Nanda analyses the challenges facing ASEAN in managing regional stability, amid continuing tensions between the United States and China. He identifies the major trends which can define the future of Asia in the course of this century, and their potential impact on the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia. His paper also underlines the strategic role of India’s “Act East Policy” in countering China’s growing regional influence. #EastAsiaSummit #AseanSummit #Internationalaffairs

Explore the latest global business shifts, from China's bold economic maneuvers and job cuts at Airbus to Africa's satellite ambitions and potential new trade alliances in South America. - Asia: China plans to issue special bonds worth about 2 trillion yuan

From November 15 to 16 local time in Lima, the capital of Peru, President Xi Jinping had a tight schedule during the "APEC period" with a series of bilateral and multilateral activities. On the morning of November 16, President Xi Jinping attended the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and delivered an important speech. President Xi Jinping pointed out that standing at the crossroads of history, all Asia-Pacific countries should work in unity and cooperation, have the courage to take on responsibilities, promote the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, and strive to usher in a new era of Asia-Pacific development. President Xi Jinping put forward three suggestions - building an open and integrated Asia-Pacific cooperation framework, cultivating the growth momentum of the Asia-Pacific region through green innovation, and firmly establishing the concept of inclusive Asia-Pacific development that benefits all. President Xi Jinping emphasized that China welcomes all parties to continue to board the express train of China's development and work together for the modernization of all countries in the world to achieve peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. On November 15, President Xi Jinping met with the leaders of Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Chile, New Zealand and Japan respectively. On the afternoon of November 16, President Xi Jinping held a meeting with US President Joe Biden. President Xi Jinping emphasized that China's goal of working towards the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations has not changed, the principle of handling China-US relations in accordance with mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation has not changed, the position of firmly safeguarding its own sovereignty, security and development interests has not changed, and the aspiration to continue the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American peoples has not changed.