Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 12/2014

Southeast Asia from Scott Circle: Malaysia Steps into Spotlight as ASEAN and East Asia Summit Chair

Phuong Nguyen

November 2014

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Abstract

Expectations for this week’s East Asia Summit and related meetings have been rather modest given the increasing complexity of issues facing countries in Asia and the limited capacity of Myanmar as host. To be clear, Myanmar has done a commendable job given this is its first time chairing ASEAN and hosting other regional meetings. But a number of key tests lie ahead for ASEAN. These include regional economic integration in preparation for the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), China’s growing assertiveness and tensions in the South China Sea, and questions about whether ASEAN will have the ability to navigate a new geopolitical era in the region in the coming years. This makes the role of Malaysia as next year’s ASEAN chair all the more critical. As chair, Malaysia will be responsible for keeping the region’s political and economic agenda on track. Also on display will be whether its quiet diplomacy and resilient ties with both the United States and China could hold the key to the future of ASEAN’s balancing act, including on problems regarding the South China Sea. For Washington, it will be a test of the newly elevated U.S.-Malaysia partnership, and an opportunity to deepen U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia.