AN EROSION of the U.S. strategic position in Asia during President Obama’s final months in office is threatening to turn into a rout. The Philippines agreed to bilateral talks on China’s claim to territories in the South China Sea, while Malaysia committed to its first major arms purchase from Beijing, a fleet of patrol boats. Needless to say, the Xi regime is happy to ignore or even abet such abuses. It might not work — there has been a backlash against Mr. Duterte’s China trip in the Philippines, and Mr. Najib faces strong domestic opposition. But the recent rush to Beijing shows that whether the next U.S. president likes it or not, the contest for influence in Asia won’t just be about trade or military might.

Source: Washington Post November 04, 2016 22:53 UTC