China accused of bullying smaller south-east Asian nations by the US

During the ongoing ASEAN summit in Thailand, the United States has accused China of showing intimidation and bullying smaller south-east Asian nations by militarizing the resource-rich waters and seeking to control the global trade route. The US national security adviser, Robert O' Brien on behalf of President Trump spoke on reference to the territorial dispute between China and several countries in the South China Sea. He further also sent an invitation to ASEAN leaders to visit North American country for a summit in the first quarter of next year. 

“Beijing has used intimidation to try to stop ASEAN nations from exploiting the offshore resources, blocking access to $2.5tn of oil and gas reserves alone. The region has no interest in a new imperial era where a big country can rule others on a theory that might makes right.” 

However, the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang on November 02 said China is preparing itself to work with Southeast Asian countries for long term peace and stability in the South China Sea. Li further added that China is committed to maintaining political mutual understanding with the ASEAN bloc and said both sides should work for stability in the region. Li's remarks at the biannual Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting comes amid growing tensions between Hanoi and Beijing over the disputes escalated by a Chinese oil tanker that remained within waters claimed by China for more than three months.

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ASEAN summit

While the ASEAN summit is likely to focus more on trade and investment-related issues, leaders at the East Asia Summit are expected to delve deep into issues relating to maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and migration. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is today the leading element in the regional cooperative architecture, as a singular, Leaders-led structure that is centred around ASEAN and includes as members major countries in the region or with important interests in it. We will be reviewing significant regional and global issues on the Agenda of the EAS, and examining the state of our current programs and projects, the PM said. I will also focus on our Indo-Pacific strategy, on which I am happy to note strong convergences with ASEAN partners and others at the EAS, he said. Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States, and Russia.

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