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Think regional, act local - the better US approach to South-east Asia
The Biden administration deserves kudos for stronger diplomatic engagement with the region; here are some steps to improve on its current efforts
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United States President Joe Biden at the US-Asean Special Summit at the State Department in Washington last month.
PHOTO: AFP
Paul Haenle
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The recent Shangri-La Dialogue exposed the stark differences between the United States and China's respective visions for Asian security. Whereas Beijing believes that Washington is "fanning confrontation" in the region, the US worries China's growing assertiveness threatens the freedom and openness of the Indo-Pacific.
Bilateral disagreements over Taiwan, the South China Sea and regional order are unlikely to abate in the near term. More broadly, the two countries are competing for influence in Asia. But Washington's Asia policy needs to be about more than just competing with China.
