The US and China both wanting to engage Asean in separate maritime exercises shows that they recognise its geopolitical importance, said analysts. But one tricky issue remains about the location of the Asean-US Maritime Exercise, scheduled to take place next year. Maritime specialist Collin Koh of RSIS said China and the US have long recognised the geopolitically strategic position of South-east Asia, and believes the Asean-US exercise will be held in a “non-sensitive” location to ensure full participation.