Bangkok: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its allies kicked-off the annual summit of their bloc here on Saturday.
The leaders of the 10 ASEAN member nations – Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – will hold a plenary session in the afternoon to officially start the summit, reports Efe news. Security, trade, investment and measures to combat pollution were among the issues that will be addressed at the annual meeting of the regional bloc, whose rotating chair is held by Thailand this year.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had extended a formal invitation in Washington last month to US President Donald Trump, who had initially agreed to attend the summit. But, Trump subsequently decided to send a delegation. The scaled-back US delegation contrasts with that from China, which, with Prime Minister Li Keqiang at its helm, will seek to expand its influence in the region.
The negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as this pact between 16 countries from the Asia and Oceania region is called, could conclude in the summit in Bangkok.
The RCEP, which, besides China, also includes India, Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and the 10 ASEAN members. (IANS)
