Obama to host US-Asean summit in California

Feb 16, 2016, 07:42

The Philippines' outgoing president is expected to raise political and security concerns at an upcoming regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in the United States.

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) - President Barack Obama and the leaders of Southeast Asian nations are gathering in Southern California for an unprecedented two days of talks on economic and security issues and on forging deeper ties amid China's assertive presence in the region.

It is regrettable that some US politicians should take as priority the South China Sea issue at Monday's special summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

WASHINGTON (AP) - When President Barack Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders for a shirt-sleeves summit set to begin Monday in California, he'll have some interesting dining companions.

Much has been made about the symbolism of the meeting already, especially given that the U.S. has chosen to hold it at the same place where Mr Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. Although not a claimant, the US has spoken out against China's conduct and the Navy has sailed close to some of the artificial islands, angering Beijing but getting some quiet encouragement from most ASEAN members. But its territorial claims over disputed waters have raised global concerns, caused friction with some member countries and will top the summit agenda.

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The summit is aimed at strengthening the new U.S.-ASEAN strategic partnership, forged last November during a presidential trip to Malaysia.

The White House views America's leadership role and engagement in the region as critical to the nation's future prosperity and security.

Leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Myanmar will be in attendance to represent the organization they helped create in 1967. US officials have said it would be "natural" for this week's summit with ASEAN to address North Korea issues.

"If U.S.so-called rebalancing to Asia or pivot to Asia is anchored more on the economic front, we will certainly welcome that", he added.

Coloma said Aquino will likely lead his Asean counterparts during the dialogue with President Obama since he has been so passionate about the sea dispute with China.

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Obama plans to hold talks on the economy focused on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and a working dinner. US companies are also the largest source of foreign investment in its member nations, he said.

ASEAN's leadership of regional institutions is founded on respect for worldwide law and norms and peaceful resolution of disputes - principles, according to the White House, the USA shares. "I also want to hear the US president talking straight away about freedom of expression, the rights of people be respected and democracy to be implemented". But the deal, formally signed this month, has not been ratified by the U.S. Congress and remains in limbo.

The White House sees this summit and the prestigious venue as an opportunity to show ASEAN's importance before Obama leaves office in January, 2017. Despite the region's relative success in combating al-Qaida-linked militancy since 9/11, the Islamic State group, or IS, appears to be gaining a foothold. Vietnam and Laos have communist governments that prohibit political dissent, while tiny oil-rich Brunei is governed by the vastly wealthy Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's few remaining hereditary leaders.

What the leaders can do that they often are unable to do, partly due to the constraints of time, is to delve a little more deeply into what they see as the realm of the possible in terms of lowering tensions in the South China Sea and setting up a dynamic that can build on, for example, the decision of the tribunal in the Hague.

The leaders of Vietnam and Myanmar, facing their own domestic challenges, have dropped out, electing to send deputies instead.

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