By Dylan Loh
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has enjoyed considerable diplomatic attention in recent months. This is due in a large part to a courtship involving three major powers: Japan, China and the United States.
Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe has visited ASEAN three times since returning to power late last year, his latest trip a whirlwind tour that took in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. In all, he has to date visited seven counties in ASEAN.
China, too, has been ramping up its engagement and has also adopted a more conciliatory tone in recent high-level meetings with its ASEAN counterparts. Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has visited ASEAN at least three times. Significantly, on June 2013, China agreed to hold talks with ASEAN on a proposed Code of Conduct governing naval action in the SCS. These advances are a contrast to its earlier stance, where it steadfastly refused to entertain ASEAN on maritime territorial issues, such as when it guided Cambodia to thwart a collective ASEAN effort to release a joint communiqué on the South China Sea disputes at the 45thASEAN ministerial meeting.
Meanwhile, U.S Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel have both made trips to ASEAN countries, stressing the importance, relevance and ongoing strength of the American pivot. The Philippines and the U.S. have also begun discussions to extend access to more military bases for American troops in an important material consequence and manifestation of the American pivot.
Read the full story at The Diplomat