Big power disputes cast shadow on South-east Asia summits

China's Premier Li Qiang arrives at the 43rd Asean Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept 6, 2023. - Reuters

JAKARTA (AFP): Southeast Asian leaders meet with top US, Chinese and Japanese officials at a series of summits in Indonesia on Wednesday (Sept 6), where big power rivalries and regional issues from the South China Sea to North Korean missiles will be on the table.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) will hold separate summits with China, Japan, South Korea and the United States, providing an arena for big powers to lobby the bloc.