Asean rows between two reefs – the US and China

Given that Asean economies are equally dependent on the United States, the European Union, China and East Asia, the bloc must maintain neutrality, refrain from taking sides and strengthen cooperation. — Bloomberg

THE recent Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima and the subsequent Group of 20 (G20) tourism meeting in Kashmir underscored the stark contrast between the two groups’ rhetoric.

While the G20 emphasised its “one Earth, one family, one future” motto, the G7’s combative attitude could be summarised as “We must divorce China”.