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Symbolism outweighs substance at U.S.-ASEAN meeting

By Ran Wei: 0 Comments Print E-mail Xinhua, September 26, 2010

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Leaders of the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in New York Friday in a bid to deepen their ties. However, experts believe symbolism outweighed substance at the meeting.

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Philippines President Benigno Aquino III (C) alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during a group picture at a meeting between President Obama and ASEAN leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly in New York, September 24, 2010. [Xinhua]

In his opening speech at the meeting, U.S. President Barack Obama vowed to deepen U.S.-ASEAN relations, saying his country had an enormous stake in the region.

The two sides agreed to further deepen the current partnership, according to a joint statement afterwards.

The 25-point statement covers a wide range of issues, including climate change, economics, and non-proliferation.

U.S. re-engagement

Analysts say the former Bush administration seemed to be ignorant of ASEAN, the regional bloc grouping 10 Southeast Asian states, evidenced by the absence of then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at two important ASEAN meetings.

Since he took office, Obama announced his new diplomatic priorities, including improving relations with the Muslim world, a back-to-Asia strategy and an emphasis multilateral diplomacy.

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