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The rivalry between the United States and China in the Asia-Pacific is proving "awkward" for Southeast Asian nations, Singapore's prime minister said Thursday as he wrapped up at a regional summit.
It is easier to get along with others, but sometimes it is possible to get along with both, sometimes it is more awkward if you try to get along with both, "Lee Hsien Loong said in the news at a news conference.
Lee, who hosted the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said, "But the circumstances may not be so great. I hope it does not happen soon. "
Vice President Mike Pence in place of President Donald Trump, and to China, whose growing influence in the region is abundantly clear at such international gatherings.
Trade tensions between the US and China over Beijing, China, China, China and the United States that has shown no sign of easing.
Trump's "America's First" deal-oriented diplomacy, saying it was a departure from the past, when they were generous, they opened their markets, they made investments, they provided regional security, and the indirect benefits of prospering region, the US prospered along. "
"But now they say 'no, that's not good enough.' I want every deal to come, 'and that will mean a different kind of relationship and we will would go in the long term, "Lee said.
In comments to the gathering earlier in the day, Pence stressed the American commitment to the region, where he said there was no room for "empire or aggression."
In the face of China's growing influence and military expansion in the South China Sea, he said, "Our vision for the Indo-Pacific excludes the nation. nations and the international rules of order. "
The ASEAN meetings focus on enhanced trade and security in a region of more than 630 million people. They are committed to counter-terrorism efforts, e-commerce, disaster preparedness and environment protection.
Many of the same leaders will head to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Papua New Guinea, where many of the same issues will be on the agenda.
While in Singapore, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, China, China and China
Southeast Asian countries and others in the region share China's consternation over the Trump administration's rejection of multilateral trade regimes and the global trade system that has helped them modernize and enrich their economies. Many of the leaders attend the meetings in Singapore.
The region needs to "take concrete action to uphold the rules-based free-to-market message – a positive message – to the market to provide stable, predictable and law-based conditions for the market," Li said.
Security issues, in particular managing conflict in the South China Sea, were another major focus of the meetings. The sea is a potential flashpoint, and a huge concern for the U.S. and other countries that rely on the right of passage for shipping.
China is pitted against its smaller neighbors in multiple disputes in the sea, and it is important for global trade and wealth in fish and potential oil and gas reserves.
ASEAN leaders said they were discussing the need for restraint in the area.
"We have agreed on ways to increase tensions in the South China Sea," said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed told reporters. "Small patrol boats are needed to deal with piracy, mainly, but big warships may cause incidents and that will lead to tension."
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has relaxed his country's stance on Chinese claims to manila, claimed that it was crucial that the countries involved work with a "code of conduct" to help prevent misunderstandings that could lead to conflict.
"China is there, that is the reality," he told reporters before joining the day's meetings. "Strong military activity will be the answer to China, but the Philippines is just about those islands."
The sessions Thursday followed the scores of bilateral meetings among the leaders.
While the convention is focused on cooperation and goodwill, concerns over the treatment of its ethnic Rohingya Muslims, Pence and Mahathir to the country's leader, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
More than 700,000 Rohingya Myanmar's Rakhine state to escape killings and destruction of their homes by the country's military and vigilantes, and widespread accusations and international accusations of genocide against Myanmar.
Asked if Suu Kyi had agreed to his direct request that she forgive two Reuters' journals imprisoned in Myanmar, Pence replied, "We did not get a clear answer on that." He said that Suu Kyi had given some details on the appeals and judicial handling of their cases.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Its annual summit includes meetings with various other nations.
Next year's summit is planned in Thailand, whose capital Bangkok was the site of the 1967 meeting that created ASEAN.
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