Southeast Asia Warms to China as Cherished Asean Unity Is Restored
- Asean leaders meet in Manila for first of two annual summits
- Draft communique does not mention South China Sea court ruling
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This time a year ago, Southeast Asian nations risked descending into squabbling over how to handle China’s assertiveness in their region.
Now, as leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations meet in Manila, the picture looks different. Asean’s famous unity has largely been restored as more countries have either warmed to China or at least indicated a greater acceptance of its clout.