Amid US-China tensions, Asean has carved its own path with shrewd balancing, hedging and consolidation, showing how small and medium-sized powers can navigate the increasingly turbulent dynamics between the two countries.
Australia’s ongoing failure to engage sustainably with China, and Asia in general, stems from its historic inability to build genuine trust with its regional partners. The Aukus pact proves to Asia that Canberra’s allegiances lie elsewhere. When Albanese visits China at the weekend, this will be the elephant in the room.