Biden dips out of ASEAN summit

Indonesia has good reason to feel aggrieved about US President Joe Biden’s shortsighted decision to bypass next week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Jakarta. Amid intense competition between the US and China for regional influence, the snub will embarrass Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, and will play into Beijing’s hands. As Amanda Hodge wrote on Wednesday, “a recent survey revealed more Indonesians believed ASEAN should opt for China rather than the US if forced to choose”.

Jokowi, the current leader of ASEAN, was keen to ensure Mr Biden attended. He set the date (September 2-7) to avoid a clash with the G20 summit in New Delhi over two days from September 9. Mr Biden will attend the G20 before travelling to Vietnam to conclude a comprehensive strategic partnership with Hanoi. A B team led by Vice-President Kamala Harris is expected to attend ASEAN. The decision has annoyed not only Indonesia but other members of the 10-nation group. Indonesia is emerging as a regional leader and is a candidate to join the BRICS alliance dominated by China and Russia. As Hodge wrote, Indonesia is already seen to be moving closer to China despite concerns over Beijing’s aggressive claims on the South China Sea. Mr Biden’s presence in Jakarta would have sent a powerful message of support as Indonesia battles to maintain unity among ASEAN states divided over the risk China poses to the neighbourhood.

It is no excuse that isolation-minded Donald Trump also failed to attend ASEAN summits when he was in office, leaving the field open to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Muhammad Wafaa Kharisma, of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, says the US commitment to Southeast Asia “has been repeatedly questioned”. The ASEAN summit deserves more considered treatment.