Closer ties within ASEAN seen as easing tensions over South China Sea

China is forging closer ties with ASEAN, with a historic treaty likely to be signed – the first between the bloc and the country – as Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday to start a three-day visit.

Myanmar is hosting an ASEAN meeting and the East Asia summit that will draw a number of world leaders, including US President Barack Obama.

Experts said the increasing closeness, in economic terms, between China and ASEAN countries will help ease tensions over the South China Sea.

…Kaewkamol Pitakdumrongkit, an assistant professor at Singapore’ s Nanyang Technological University, believes China-ASEAN cooperation will further improve with initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund.