Confrontations over the South China Sea are startling events that bring up the potential for heated conflict, but disagreements in troubled waters have ripple effects that lead to economic problems as well.

China-Vietnam relations saw a strategic shift after President Xi Jinping's significant visit to Hanoi, resulting in 36 cooperation agreements. Vietnam's approach balances economic development, military modernization, and diplomatic ties with the U.S., Japan, and the EU, emphasizing managing relations with China from a position of strength for long-term stability and development.

China’s recent update to its foreign policy guidelines will be a major turning point in the ongoing tug-of-war between East and West for global trade hegemony.

Renewed talks between the U.S. and China have led to a flurry of speculation on what the near future holds, but perhaps no one is watching as closely as China’s neighbors who would prefer de-escalated tensions sooner than later, especially if it means avoiding crossfire between the two rivals.

This is a highlight moment for ASEAN, with the ASEAN Summit, the G20 Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting coming soon. By hosting these events, ASEAN will be able to demonstrate to the world its strong will and capability to unite the region and provide new impetus for the post pandemic recovery.

China and ASEAN are rapidly becoming a community with a shared future of interdependence. Now at a historical starting point, they are forging new patterns to ensure that their comprehensive strategic partnership makes long-term progress.

China’s next move is the subject of much speculation and worry for observers and enemies. The current conditions of today’s geopolitical stage should lead China towards its Southeast Asian neighbors in what may be its next international outreach campaign.

As a former U.S. colonial subject, the Philippines has retained close cultural and official ties to Washington. The new Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has shown that he intends to deviate from his predecessor’s distancing from the United States by rebuilding relations with the West while simultaneously drawing closer to Asian nations - including China.

China and Japan have deepened their economic interdependence, but they have a long way to go in building political trust, especially in the security realm. The two countries should get beyond the old concept that starts with military deterrence. It is no longer productive.

The South China Sea has been the backdrop for so many international conflicts that few remember the Declaration of Conduct which governs activity in the testy waters. Now, 25 years later under new circumstances, a new agreement may be able to help lighten tensions in the Sea - if it can get passed.