Asean – strategic impact of not taking a stand

Contested atoll: Boats at Scarborough Shoal in the SCS are shown in this handout photo provided by Planet Labs, and captured on March 12. The head of US naval operations, Admiral John Richardson said the US military had seen Chinese activity around Scarborough Shoal in the northern part of the Spratly archipelago, about 200km west of the Philippine base of Subic Bay. – Reuters

Asean - Strategic Consequences of Not Taking a Stand

CHINA is now the second largest economy in the world by size of gross domestic product (GDP). The deceleration in its economic growth rate affects all other economies, especially other growing economies dependent on trade with the country. Asean, for instance, counts China as its No. 1 trading partner.