The Titans Converge

In Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. attended the U.S summit. However, this wasn’t just a regular diplomatic summit, but a critical move given China’s “growing influence” in the area. The Manila Post accurately summarized Biden’s intentions which were to collaborate and build a region that is “free and open, stable and prosperous, resilient and secure.”

In the middle of the formalities, President Biden had a small slip-up. He accidentally called Cambodia “Colombia.” Woah! I know! It’s definitely a grave error for such an important event, but I think we have all mixed up names at some point. For me, it really added a touch of reality to these dignified events. However, moving the focus back to the situation, it’s worth mentioning that this is only the second time a U.S. president has visited Cambodia. President Biden said, “This is my third trip, my third summit – second in person – and it’s testament to the importance the United States places in our relationship with ASEAN and our commitment to ASEAN’s centrality.” This is truly remarkable as it emphasizes America’s expanding interest in the South Pacific! By pointing out that ASEAN is now recognizing the U.S. with a “comprehensive strategic partnership” status, Washington is now placed shoulder to shoulder with China.

On the note of strategy, there was a noticeable unoccupied chair in the U.S.-ASEAN summit. It was quite symbolic. This seat was reserved for a representative from Myanmar, but Myanmar’s leaders were prohibited from attending official ASEAN events due to the recent military coup. Yet, President Biden continued advocating for diplomatic solutions. For example, he raised concerns about human rights in Cambodia and urged its leadership to establish more open civic and political engagement ahead of the 2023 elections. Additionally, President Biden stressed the significance of monitoring maritime activities, specifically illicit shipping and fishing. I think it’s safe to say from the tensions in the South China Sea to Myanmar’s situation that President Biden is deeply involved in navigating these challenges. 

As the G-20 summit in Bali approaches, all eyes are on the anticipated face to face meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As the U.S. and China converge, the world eagerly awaits this moment of profound global significance. Though they may seem routine and normal from an outside point of view, these are the moments that dive deep into the complexity of global politics and reveal the strategies that influential nations utilize to bring about new partnerships. Though they symbolize much more, these moments also offer a glance into pure human interactions by highlighting little unexpected moments like the occasional slip of the tongue in such high pressure situations.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/11/politics/joe-biden-cambodia-asean/index.html