ASEAN Must be Firm Over US and China: Observer

Jakarta - Association of Southeast Asian Nations must be firm over US and China with regard to Southeast Asia, according to international relations observer from Paramadina University Dinna Wisnu. "ASEAN should not allow dominant powers such as United States and China to exert their influence in this area. ASEAN must be firm," she said here on Wednesday. Dinna noted that the US and China were trying to be dominant in the region. The US has been carrying out joint military exercises with the Philippines since April 19, which will last for two weeks. The annual exercises, called Balikatan, are due to run until 27 April. The exercises are happening in the midst of renewed tensions that have enveloped the Asian region, particularly in connection with the South China Sea between China and the Philippines. "US wants to show off its power to China in Southeast Asia," she said. Dinna added that the problems with respect to South China Sea were extremely complicated, so ASEAN must focus on it and do its ¿homework¿. After the joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines, China and Russia also launched their first joint naval exercises on Sunday. The six days of drills are taking place in the Yellow Sea off China¿s east coast.(*)