US-China rivalry: is the pressure on for Asean countries to choose sides?

While Southeast Asian nations have maintained a studied neutrality as Beijing and Washington clash over issues such as the South China Sea, experts say some alignment has already happened

But as the interests of China and the US diverge, the window of opportunity to not officially take a side is narrowing

Maria Siow

SCMP

Published: 5:00pm, 10 Apr, 2021

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1.  ASEAN Countries is only aligned with ASEAN centrality --- and neutrality --- not taking sides with US bloc or China bloc.

2. Hence it is not accurate to say that some ASEAN Countries align with US bloc and some align with China bloc.

3. The moment Countries start to align with either Blocs --- will be a sure way of returning to Cold War - when near mammoth clash and indeed regional war have broken up.

4. Remember the Korean War - where China and US clash in Korea?

5. Remember US clash with Vietnam in Vietnam war?

6. Remember the US and USSR cold war - that almost trigger a near nuclear clash?

7. ASEAN maintain centrality and neutrality - without siding any blocs - is the surest and best way - to ensure the US and China do not collide ----- by acting as buffer and neutral states ---- adopting priniciple stand to resolve any issues that arise.

8. ASEAN centrality and neutrality - will work with both China and US for mutual benefits - and will not be conjure to join either the US bloc or China bloc.

9. ASEAN total market as a whole is a relatively big market - that will be useful for either China and US to work with for mutual benefit.

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10. ASEAN with stakes in both China and US --- will less likely to facilitate or support US clashing with China or vice versa - the reason being, ASEAN won't want to hurt their interests and stakes in both China and US.

11. Hence ASEAN form a good buffer and neutral grounds - to discourage China and US from clashing --- that will hurt ASEAN as ASEAN is situated in proximity.

12. If ASEAN countries are force to take sides - some with China and some with US, then the prize buffer and neutral ground will be lost ---- where China and US will likely to clash --- as there are no middlemen to cushion or stop the clash.

13. Hence, forcing ASEAN to take sides - will not be in the interest of either China or US.

14. ASEAN maintaining centrality and neutral ground - will in fact help to buffer China and US from clashing ---- and in fact a good arbitration ground for China and US to resolve their differences --- as ASEAN understand the pains of both China and US --- and will be able to play a constructive role in cooling the tension between China and US.

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