In recent times, there have been subtle changes in the international relations landscape. With shifts in geopolitical and economic dynamics, several Asian countries have recently coincidentally sought to reduce their reliance on China and instead strengthen cooperation and ties with the United States. Apart from Vietnam’s gestures towards the U.S. amid the trade war, other ASEAN countries, Japan, and Australia have all been moving closer to the U.S., demonstrating an urgent pursuit of regional security and economic independence.
This article will delve into a series of recent significant events to detail the multifaceted nature of this trend and the key driving forces behind it. It will also conclude with the recent anti-China wave sparked by the event related to the death of a famous mainland Chinese artist, Yu Menglong.
From October 26th to 27th, the 47th ASEAN Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, welcoming U.S. President Trump’s visit for the first time. This summit was seen as a strategic showcase of the U.S. re-engagement in Southeast Asia. Trump not only attended in person but also facilitated multiple regional peace and economic cooperation agreements.
The highlight of this summit was the witnessing of the signing of the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement” between Cambodia and Thailand by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, ending years of border tension between the two countries. Using the economic influence of the United States, Trump successfully mediated the conflicts between the two nations, bringing a glimmer of peace to the region. Additionally, he concluded bilateral trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, bolstering economic ties with Southeast Asian countries.
The U.S. also reached trade framework agreements with Thailand and Vietnam, showcasing its long-term and stable commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. Anwar stated that Trump’s visit helped ease trade uncertainties, boost market confidence, and positioned the U.S. as a crucial trade partner in Southeast Asia.
This time, Trump directly targeted the core region that China thought it fully controlled, surpassing China’s “hegemonic” diplomacy. Through various efforts, the U.S. is trying to reverse the regional landscape dominated by China.
In addition, the U.S. and the UK jointly froze assets and imposed sanctions on the prince group involved in transnational telecom fraud and multiple kidnapping cases, dealing a severe blow to the fraud network. This action made other fraudulent groups aware of the financial sanctions’ power in the cryptocurrency market by the U.S., curbing illegal fund flows.
The Myanmar military bombed the notorious “KK Park” fraud base on October 24 in response to international pressure and the atmosphere of the ASEAN Summit, demonstrating a tough stance of the military government. The strategic bombing was clear in positioning, timed simultaneously with the summit, showcasing military power while attempting to transform international perception.
While further developments need careful observation, as past telecommunications fraud centers have seen resurgences, the practical pressure and supervision from the U.S. and UK this time may lead to different outcomes in the future.
In Japan, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (DJP) faced internal rifts after a …
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