South-east Asia could pay dearly for worsening US-China ties

The dangerous deterioration of US-China ties has grave and far-reaching implications, including for Asean states. Regional leaders should make clear their concerns to the two great power rivals.

There is an absence of strategic trust between the US and China, and each is ascribing the worst intentions to the other side. PHOTO: REUTERS
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The downward spiralling US-China relationship seems headed for the bottomless pit.

The strategic competition between the United States and China worsened sharply after Russia invaded Ukraine. It has often been asked if Ukraine has affected the way China thinks about Taiwan and reunification. It probably has on many levels, though China was never going to be affected by Russia’s plans. China has its own timetable.

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