As I see itUS needs a trade deal with Southeast Asia to counter China, not a democracy summit

At a time when China is determined to position itself as the dominant power in Southeast Asia, playing the democracy game is counterproductive

If the real purpose of the summit is to counter China’s influence, as is widely perceived, then it’s time for Washington to rival Beijing’s bid to forge strong economic links with the region

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People cross a street in front of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:00am, 3 Dec 2021Updated: 9:05am, 3 Dec 2021

Next week, the United States will host a democracy summit that is set to be attended by 110 nations and territories, including three from Southeast Asia.

Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are the only members from Asean to be invited to The Summit for Democracy, a virtual event that purports to “defend against authoritarianism, fight corruption and promote human rights”.

That the Philippines made the participant list, even though it has perpetrated extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations under the government’s war on drugs, has raised questions. The same goes for Malaysia, which has overseen attacks on media freedom and free speech in recent years.

But aside from drawing confusion around the invitations and purpose of the event, it is also unclear what benefits the summit will bring to Southeast Asia, and whether three Asean states can make a difference or even be heard in such a crowded meeting.

Filipinos protest against the drug-related killings by the Rodrigo Duterte government on March 15, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE

The quest for democratic governance is complicated in Southeast Asia, where rising hopes and pro-democracy movements often collide with crushing electoral defeats and backsliding freedoms, as was the case in Myanmar, which reverted to military rule earlier this year.