Russia is back and it s a little bit better
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Kavi Chongkittavorn A veteran journalist on regional affairs
published : 13 Jul 2021 at 04:00
6 Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, and Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar s armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing prior to their talks in Moscow. Russia is pivoting towards Southeast Asia, and extending its hands to the reclusive Myanmar junta. AFP
Make no mistake, Russia is back in Southeast Asia, the region where its former empire reigned during the Cold War. This time, Russia is more sophisticated and more assertive, as another global power that can shift and change the present strategic environment in the most visible way. Today Russia is determined to break US-led sanctions and further integrate its economy with the region s economic dynamics.
CPTPP procrastination not an option
Kavi Chongkittavorn A veteran journalist on regional affairs
published : 29 Jun 2021 at 04:00 State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation members rally in Bangkok last year against Thailand joining the CPTPP. Chanat Katanyu
It must be said, right from the start, that the debate on the merits and demerits of Thailand s joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has been going on for far too long. Despite lengthy debate, there is still no consensus on whether the country should join the world s premier free-trade agreement.
All the groups with vested interests are now openly trying to dislodge each other s arguments as much and as fast as possible to ensure that their interests hold firm. And that means that the tussle continues to go back and forth. Judging from past history, the debate will continue endlessly, perhaps even until eternity.
Asean, China promote Asian values
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Kavi Chongkittavorn A veteran journalist on regional affairs
published : 15 Jun 2021 at 04:00
31 Chinese sailors march during the opening ceremony of the Asean-China Maritime Exercise at a military port in Zhanjiang, in China s southern Guangdong province in this file photo from October 2018. AFP
In commemorating the 30th anniversary of Asean-China relations later this year at the summit level, it is expected that China will be represented by Xi Jinping, who has yet to attend an Asean-related summit under his presidency. Of course, this is just a plan for both sides, which still need further discussion to celebrate their shared future trajectory. After all, when Asean agrees on the upgrade of China s longstanding strategic partnership to a comprehensive one, there must be a very special li-you (raison d etre) to do so. And the list is long.
As the African proverb goes, when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The intensifying China-US rivalry is putting mounting pressure on smaller countries, and Southeast Asian economies are no exception.