Southeast Asian leaders emphasize economic strength in face of US-China tensions 0 SHARES Share it! Prayuth urged ASEAN nations to complete negotiations this year for the China-initiated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact that includes 16 countries. First proposed by China, RCEP’s 16 signatories include the 10 ASEAN member states and six Asia-Pacific countries, including major economies China, India, Japan and South Korea. ASEAN countries also agreed on a common approach on a US-led Indo-Pacific initiative, at a time when US-China tensions were rising and forcing ASEAN countries to take sides. SKIRTS PRESSING ISSUESPrayuth’s speech made no mentions of major issues such as the plight of Myanmar’s fleeing Rohingyas and the South China Sea dispute.

Source: Manila Bulletin June 23, 2019 13:18 UTC