The three-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has begun in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, shaping up to be a major global gathering rather than just a regional meeting, with leaders from the world’s major powers in attendance.
The list of high-profile attendees includes US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japan’s new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The summit’s scope is broadened by the presence of other global leaders, including Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, and representatives from South Africa, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conspicuously, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be attending in person; he is slated to participate virtually.
A significant regional development is expected during the summit, with Timor-Leste poised to be formally admitted as the organization’s 11th member.
While the official agenda is focused on economic integration, the summit is heavily overshadowed by pressing geopolitical crises. The core discussions are expected to pivot from trade to the tense situation in the South China Sea, the escalating US-China rivalry, the critical situation in Gaza, and the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
