Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed a decree to promulgate a set of interim regulations on the management of reserve personnel.

The regulations aim to facilitate the implementation of China's law on reservists.

The regulations focus on establishing a systematic management structure for reserve personnel in the new era, detailing processes for their selection, rank promotion, role assignments, training, assessments, benefits and retirement from reserve service.

An important outcome of China's military human resource reform, the promulgation of the regulations marks a key step to improve the legal, standardized and scientific management of reservists and develop a high-caliber, professional reserve force.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Wednesday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit. Chinese analysts said the meeting has strategic significance as the recovery of China-India relations serves not only the interests of both countries, but also the multi-polarization of the world order.

During his meeting with Modi in Kazan, Russia, Xi urged China and India to facilitate each other's pursuit of development aspirations. Xi said the two sides should strengthen communication and cooperation, properly manage differences and disagreements, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

This is the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders since 2019, when they met bilaterally in the southern Indian city of Chennai at the second informal India-China summit. The first informal meeting between the two leaders took place in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, in April 2018. In 2023, Xi also had talks with Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa at the latter's request.

Lin Minwang, a deputy director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the meeting shows that China-India relations are now on the track of recovery, as the two sides have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area, so the obstacle that has blocked the recovery of bilateral ties has been removed.

"Over a recent period of time, China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area following close communication through diplomatic and military channels. China commends the progress made and will continue working with India for the sound implementation of these resolutions," said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press conference on Tuesday.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the meeting proves that this international organization formed by emerging economies is an important platform and channel for major countries to coordinate with each other on sensitive issues with diplomacy, to fix damaged ties and to reach consensus.

The world is entering a period of multi-polarization, and emerging economies like China and India are crucial players in this process, so if they can properly manage differences and boost mutual trust and unity, they could bring significant changes to improve or reform the international order that is facing the impact of Western-dominated unilateralism and US hegemony, Li noted.

Lin Minwang said that Indian policymakers and decision-makers have realized that they had made a mistake in the past four years in decoupling from China and trying to get support from the US, and now they need to correct this mistake.

"India's policy that aims at decoupling from China has failed to attract meaningful support from the US-led West to help 'Made in India' and the country's modernization and industrialization. This proves that India can't profit from being hostile to or decoupling from China, and it is even making it difficult for India to realize its own development," Lin Minwang said.

But this is just the economic reason, a key reason is that the Modi administration may have found that the US is very uncertain and unreliable, as US foreign policy may see a U-turn after the presidential election in November, so India must take action first to minimize the risks, experts said.

Li echoed that India's concerns are not just caused by the US election, but also by the unhappy memories between India and the West in recent years. The Modi administration has found that the US and its allies cannot offer India much meaningful support, so now that India has tension with Canada, Washington will not side with New Delhi. This means that Modi may finally realize that it is unwise for India to completely side with the US in this game of great powers.

Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow with the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Modi is signaling that he wishes to stabilize and normalize India's ties with China, but apart from issues over the border, there are still many uncertainties, challenges and problems.

Chinese experts are calling for India to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and fix other relevant policies, so the Indian government can instill confidence and trust among Chinese firms and people that they can invest in India.

A customer in East China's Zhejiang Province spent 18,888 yuan ($2,654) on a poodle, only to find that the adorable pup came with unexpected cropped ears and eyeliner.

Cai from Jiaxing city, purchased the dog from a popular kennel boasting 5 million followers online, but her excitement quickly turned to disappointment upon receiving the animal, Hongxing News reported. 

Upon arrival, Cai discovered that the poodle's ears had been cropped and its eyes had been outlined with eyeliner, leaving behind scabbing and scars.

The unsettling revelation raised questions about the seller's transparency, leading Cai to suspect that the seller had intentionally concealed information to justify the high price. In a conversation shared by Cai, the seller defended their actions, stating, "The customer didn't ask, so I didn't say." 

They claimed that the makeup was merely to enhance the dog's appearance for photos and that the ear cropping was a trendy style known as "Mickey ears." However, Cai felt misled, as she had not been informed of these alterations prior to her purchase, media reported.

Now seeking a resolution, Cai has expressed her desire for a refund and a public apology from the seller. However, the seller's policy clearly states, "Buyers cannot return or exchange for any reason." As of now, the seller has agreed to Cai's request to keep the dog without returning it.

After a three-and-a-half-month fishing moratorium and a super typhoon in early September, fishermen in the Xisha district of China's southernmost island city of Sansha, have resumed production. Global Times reporter visited Yongxing, Jinqing and Zhaoshu islands of the Xisha Islands and talked with local fishermen and community staff. 

From the stories shared by local fishermen, one can easily see how China's new fishery-related policies have greatly benefited their lives and significantly contributed to the ecological protection and sustainable development of fishery resources in the South China Sea.

Great changes

After landing on Yongxing Island, home to the Sansha city government, the reporter was marveled at a breathtaking view of emerald waters glistening under the sun, lush tropical flora and modern amenities. Although small, Yongxing does not lack any modern conveniences, providing visitors and residents full Wi-Fi coverage, stores, clinics, schools, basketball courts, and even hot pot restaurants, cafes and movie theaters. 

Li Wangsan, 66, is a veteran fisherman who has been fishing with his father since he was 20, and has traveled all over the South China Sea. Now his three sons are fishermen too. 

Like most fishermen in Xisha, Li's ancestors came from the town of Tanmen, Hainan Island, and have been fishing and living in Xisha for several generations. 

Li told reporters that the city government has built and gifted houses to the local fishermen. Just about two decades ago, fishermen were crammed into shabby wooden felt houses, with only loose underwear or a towel to cover their tanned bodies.

On the Zhaoshu Island, the local government also helps fishermen improve their living conditions. Local community staff Cai Lihong told the Global Times that they provide fishermen with 15 tons of fresh water and 300 kilowatt hours of electricity per month for free. Given a hot weather, each house of fishermen is equipped with two air conditioners.

Moreover, the reporter was told that the fishermen who stay long-term on the islands of Xisha can receive a subsidy of 35-45 yuan ($4-5.7) per person per day.

Wang Long, a local official on Jinqing Island, the administration center of Yongle Islands, told the reporter that new fishermen who came to Yongle can get a daily subsidy of 230 yuan per person.

To ensure the safety of fishermen, all fishing boats are now equipped with the BeiDou Navigation System, with local weather station offering timely weather forecasts to fishermen.

More sustainable

At the dock on Yongxing Island, fishermen were getting ready to set out to sea, some repainting their boats and some checking and cleaning their engines. The reporter noticed that their fishing equipment consisted of just a few fishing rods, diving suits, small nets, and pails.

The fishermen said that most of them work on the reef, within a distance of 10 nautical miles and Chinese fishermen mainly practice pole fishing and snorkeling. The reporter noticed that the size of Chinese fishing boats is usually small, meaning they cause minimal damage to the coral on the seafloor.

Fishermen said that the use of explosives, poisons, electricity and any other means in fishing that deplete fishery resources is strictly prohibited by law, and local staff regularly educate fishermen about these regulations.

"We don't hunt turtles and giant clams and we know it's illegal… now they are often seen in our nearby waters, demonstrating the effectiveness of our protection effort," a fisherman surnamed Xie on Zhaoshu Island said. 

"We take pictures and tell fishermen what they can catch, and what they are not allowed to do... and we also specify size requirements, for example some fish can only be caught if they are more than four or five fingers wide," said Cai from the Zhaoshu Island.  

Since 1995, China has implemented a summer fishing moratorium policy. So far, it has covered four sea areas: the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The South China Sea, north of 12 degrees north latitude, ended its three-and-a-half-month fishing moratorium on August 16 this year.

In addition, an independent fishing moratorium has been implemented in the high seas where no international regional fishery organization have yet managed, making an important contribution to the sustainable development of international fishery resources.

The reporter learned that at the beginning of the fishing moratorium, many fishermen complained about the policy. But now, the fishermen have shown full understanding and support.

Fu Mingyou, a fisherman on Zhaoshu Island, said that during China's fishing ban period, fishermen from other countries used to trespass into the waters under China's jurisdiction using illegal methods such as explosives and electric shocks to fish. "Everyone else goes fishing except for us, and that really felt quite unfair."

Fishermen from other islands told the reporter that they all shared similar feeling in the past decade. However, thanks to the strict law enforcement by the China Coast Guard, such incidents have significantly decreased in the past two years.

"Fish need to grow too, and the fishing moratorium prevents unregulated fishing, which really matters for our next generations," Fu said. 

As he grew older, Fu found himself fishing less frequently. In 2017, he became a reef ranger on Zhaoshu Island and member of the greening team.

In terms of ecological protection, the Xisha Islands have made great efforts in the greening of islands, the cleaning of reefs and floating wastes. Fishermen told the reporter that 20 years ago, the Xisha Islands were far less clean and tidy. Nowadays, fishermen are more and more involved in the protection of the ecological environment.

"We go to check our reef's changes weekly, to protect sea turtles and migratory birds spawning, and to help treat injured animals. In addition, we also engage in daily cleaning of sea floating garbage, picking up the trash and sorting it at the cleaning station," Fu said.

While some islands in Sansha have provided economic incentives for islanders to participate in the cleanup efforts, Fu said that protecting the environment and ecology is a responsibility for the people of Sansha. "It's not about the money."

'Guarding South Gate'

As China's southernmost island city, Sansha is adjacent to several southeast Asia countries. 

Recalling his experiences of dealing with fishermen from other countries three decades ago, Li Wangsan said that before the South China Sea dispute heated up, the fishermen were on good terms and there were few frictions.

"We fished together and helped each other… We didn't speak the same language, but we communicated through gestures to exchange any goods needed," Li recalled.

"The fishermen all live a hard life, earning a small income to support their families… We often visited their boats and they visited ours and we offered each other our best cigarettes, treating each other like relatives and friends," Li said. 

After the South China Sea disputes heated up in the last decade, Li said fishermen from different countries have not been on each other's ships any more. 

"But the ocean is so large and the resources are so rich, if we can jointly develop it, it will be very beneficial, as long as it is not destructive," Li added. 

Despite the maritime delimitation disputes and geopolitical games in the South China Sea, China has been actively engaged in fishery cooperation with Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and other neighboring countries, focusing on breeding and releasing, fishing technology training and other means to seek the sustainable development in the fishery sector.

Fu Mingyou explained that the beautiful Xisha is a "sea inherited from ancestors." 

"My ancestors have been catching fish here since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Protecting the islands and reefs is the common responsibility and mission of every generation of our fishermen."

"We used to fish to feed our families, but now we gradually realize that we come to fish, but also to protect the islands, and safeguard the south gate of our motherland, and this makes me feel very proud," Fu said. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, from Oct. 22 to 24 at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced here on Friday.

Zhang Ming, secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), on Friday condemned the terrorist attack in Pakistan's Sindh Province, which caused casualties to both Chinese and Pakistani people.

The SCO is shocked by the terrorist attack, strongly condemns this terrorist act, and expresses deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to their families, Zhang said.

The SCO supports Pakistan in bringing the terrorists to justice, Zhang noted.

Terrorism is the common enemy of all mankind. The SCO will, as always, resolutely fight against terrorism and safeguard regional security and stability, Zhang said.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, met with Luong Cuong, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat, in Beijing on Friday.

Xi pointed out that adhering to the leadership of the communist party and the socialist system constitutes the most essential feature of China and Vietnam, and serves as the most solid political foundation for developing bilateral relations.

Noting that China takes Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi said China is ready to work with Vietnam to take the lead in deepening high-level mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and promoting the cause of human progress, and jointly foster a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Xi stressed that as changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerated pace, China and Vietnam should adhere to the correct political direction, view China-Vietnam relations from a strategic height, and ensure the sustained, correctly oriented development of bilateral ties.

He urged China and Vietnam to strengthen their exchange of thoughts and ideas, make better use of institutionalized platforms such as theoretical discussions and cadre training, and enhance communication and the exchange of party and state governance experience. The two countries should also tap into cooperation potential further, and spare no effort to promote the synergy of development strategies and interconnectivity, he added.

On fostering friendship between peoples, Xi called on the two sides to take full advantage of the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges next year to bring greater recognition to the traditional friendship between the two countries and do more to improve their guidance of public opinion, so as to consolidate public support for the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Xi went on to say that China's efforts to further deepen reforms and promote a high-level opening-up will not only open up broader prospects for its own development, but also bring new impetus and opportunities to the development of Vietnam and other countries around the world.

China is ready to enhance cooperation with Vietnam to be good companions and partners on the path of reform and modernization, Xi said, expressing the belief that under the leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will successfully complete the goals and tasks set by the 13th National Congress of the CPV.

Noting that Vietnam and China are socialist neighbors linked by the same mountains and rivers, Luong Cuong said that developing relations with China has always been the objective need, strategic choice and a top priority of Vietnam's overall diplomacy.

He said that Vietnam is willing to continue working with China to fully deliver on the important consensus reached in recent years by the two countries' top leaders, cement relations between the two parties and two countries, push for the further development of exchange and cooperation in various fields, better manage and resolve differences, and strive for new achievements in promoting the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the construction of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

The Maldives, an active partner of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has significantly benefited from infrastructure development, trade growth and other bilateral cooperation projects, and the nation is "grateful" for the support from the Chinese government, Fazeel Najeeb, the newly-appointed Maldives Ambassador to China, said in an exclusive interview with the Global Times, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Maldives' participation in the joint construction of the BRI.

Numerous BRI projects have already been completed and are operational in the Maldives. One landmark project is the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which the ambassador called a transformative project that greatly improves travel conditions between islands.

The bridge is the first cross-sea bridge in the Maldives built by a Chinese company - connecting Male, the Maldivian capital city, with neighboring Hulhule Island, enabling locals and tourists to travel between the two islands in five minutes.

The friendship bridge is just the epitome of China-Maldives close cooperation, which spans infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Currently, both countries are speeding up the implementation of an important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, advancing projects like the municipal roads in Male and Velana in the Maldives, according to information from the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives.

Both sides are now actively expanding cooperation in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, trade, and investment.

The ambassador said: "We are benefiting from BRI cooperation and look forward to deepening our ties under the initiative," emphasizing the potential for expanding collaboration.

Free trade deal

A key avenue for enhancing bilateral economic ties is the free trade agreement (FTA) reached between the two countries, which is expected to be implemented soon, according to Fazeel.

China-Maldives FTA negotiations started in December 2015 and ended in September 2017. The agreement covers trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and economic and technical cooperation, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

In 2023, their bilateral trade reached $758.33 million, representing a 75.8-percent year-on-year increase, data from China's General Administration of Customs showed.

The ambassador said that the bilateral economic and trade ties will be significantly strengthened under the FTA, "which has already been signed and is expected to take effect by the end of this year or early next year."

"I believe that with the imminent enactment of the FTA, we will see more Chinese enterprises doing business in the Maldives," he said. 

Fazeel also noted that once the FTA takes effect, the volume of Chinese products entering the Maldives could significantly increase.

In addition to trade, Fazeel also mentioned tourism, a key pillar of people-to-people exchanges. 

Since the beginning of this year, with the restoration and launch of multiple flight routes between the two countries, travel and cultural exchanges have become easier, resulting in a steady rise in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives. 

According to the Maldives Embassy in Beijing, by the end of August this year, more than 200,000 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives, making China one of the largest sources of foreign tourists to the Maldives.

'Debt trap' rebutted

Like many strong relationships established under the BRI, close China-Maldives ties have faced unfriendly assaults from some Western media, alleging that China's BRI has created the so-called "debt trap" for the island nation and that China is "exerting influence" through the program. 

The ambassador firmly rebutted these baseless as well as malicious accusations. 

"We do not view it in that way… We see it as an extension of China's support for the development of the Maldives," Fazeel said, noting that it is the BRI that has greatly benefited local development in infrastructure, trade and many other fields.

Responding to the "debt trap" accusation, Fazeel said: "We are getting funds not only from China but other countries and international organizations… In fact, some countries currently owe more debt to others than we do to China."

Regarding claims about China imposing influence over the Maldives, the ambassador emphasized that "influence is a subjective term, and every country has some degree of influence on another, whether economically, financially, culturally, or traditionally." 

"We are impressed by China's technological capabilities and economic strength... As the second-largest economy in the world and a leading technological innovator, China offers significant benefits to us," Fazeel noted.

The ambassador said: "We see nothing wrong with collaborating with any country that offers us trade and support. We are not concerned about criticisms - there will always be criticisms of various kinds."

Looking ahead, he stated that the Maldives will continue to work and cooperate with any country that extends a helping hand to the Maldives, emphasizing that "China is always at the forefront of that support."

China's A-share market saw another significant surge on Tuesday, the first trading day following the week-long National Day holidays, fueled by a range of recent stimulus measures.

The ChiNext Index recorded its largest single-day gain on record, while total trading volume on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges reached 3.45 trillion yuan ($488.9 billion), up 860 billion yuan from the previous trading day, a record high.

At Tuesday's close, the Shanghai Composite Index was up by 4.59 percent, the Shenzhen Component Index had shot up by 9.17 percent, and the ChiNext Index had skyrocketed by 17.25 percent.

Financial stocks remained robust with 48 brokerage stocks hitting their daily price ceilings. The semiconductor sector saw a strong opening, with more than 200 stocks hitting their daily limits.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened up by a breath-taking 10.13 percent, the Shenzhen Component Index was up by 12.67 percent, and the ChiNext Index surged 18.44 percent at the opening.

Just 20 minutes after the market opened on Tuesday, trading volume on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses surpassed 1 trillion yuan, the fastest time ever to reach this amount.

The enthusiasm for the stock markets overwhelmed the trading systems, leading to some trading hiccups and delays, which were reported in multiple trading platforms.
"Significant policies have lifted investor expectations. The intensified efforts in monetary and fiscal policy to promote sustained economic recovery are further lifting market confidence," Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the rally is being supported by a rebound in the prices of previously undervalued assets and pro-growth macro policies.

"The surge in trading volume and strong market sentiment indicate an improvement in investor confidence," he added.
During a press conference on Tuesday, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said that the country will accelerate the implementation of incremental pro-growth policies.

With the economy facing downward pressure, the country will focus on counter-cyclical policy adjustment, and ramp up efforts to boost domestic consumption and improve people's livelihoods.

It will give more support to businesses having operational difficulties, and try to stabilize the real estate market and shore up the capital market, the NDRC said.

Addressing the capital market, the NDRC said that pro-growth economic policies are being fast-tracked for implementation.

Efforts are underway to attract long-term investment, support mergers and acquisitions, and protect individual investors.

In late September, China's central bank announced a new package of monetary stimulus measures to support property sales and shore up the capital market, and to create better conditions for China's high-quality economic development, which have significantly boosted investor sentiment.

During the Golden Week holidays, investors in the Chinese mainland were seen lining up to open new stock accounts, while employees from some securities companies returned to work early in preparation for the market opening.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the 27th China-ASEAN Summit, the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit to be held in Vientiane, Laos from October 9 to 12, and pay an official visit to Laos.

Li's visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the current ASEAN chair, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Tuesday. Li will also pay an official visit to Vietnam from October 12 to 14, at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam.

The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits will convene in Vientiane, Lao from October 8 to11, according to official information.

The theme for Lao PDR's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 is "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience." Enhancing connectivity and resilience is of utmost importance to ensure ASEAN collective efforts in the strengthening of the ASEAN Community to seize opportunities and address present and emerging challenges effectively, according to ASEAN website.

At a regular press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao said that China looks forward to working with ASEAN and other regional countries to build consensus, deepen mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, and inject new impetus into peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world at large, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese experts noted that despite the regional challenges ASEAN is facing right now, such as the South China Sea dispute, this year's ASEAN summits will first prioritize the region's development.

ASEAN is keen to seize the opportunity for technological innovation to advance its digitalization efforts. The group hopes that this year's summits will foster cooperation with countries such as China and Japan, Peng Nian, director of the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Connectivity is another priority, as enhanced connectivity with neighboring countries like China, Japan, and South Korea can stimulate trade and attract greater investment to the region, Peng noted.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will reportedly assert the Philippines' sovereignty over its territorial waters at the ASEAN summits, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Philippines said last week, according to Manila Times.

Marcos is likely to stage a monodrama if he takes advantage of the event to hype the South China Sea issue, as regional countries are more prone to cool down the situation instead of adding fuel to the fire, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times.

Moreover, this year's ASEAN summits emphasize cooperation and development among its member states. If the Philippines attempts to hype the South China Sea issue, it could dilute other important topics, said Chen, noting that such a move may not be well received by other regional countries.

In June, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for diplomatic engagement to resolve the South China Sea disputes, stressing that interference from external parties will only make things worse, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Disruptive voices

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has an opening during this week's summits with regional leaders in Laos to step up Canada's efforts to help Southeast Asian countries facing so-called "escalating threats from China," Canadian media CBC quoted experts as saying.

Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will also hold talks this week on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, a top official told the AFP. Ishiba has once raised the notion of an "Asian NATO."

These voices from forces outside the region want to instigate and hype up problems and interrupt prosperity and development in Southeast Asia, a region built on win-win and pragmatic cooperation between China and regional countries, observers said, noting ASEAN members won't be distracted by these disruptions.

On October 5, Indonesia's largest English-language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, published an editorial entitled "No to Asia's NATO," directly advising Ishiba to "refrain from promoting his grand idea to establish an Asian version of NATO in order to avoid self-humiliation."

ASEAN countries are seeking cooperation with various nations; however, the bloc is increasingly wary of extraterritorial powers that may incite conflicts and introduce disruptive ideas. Such notions not only undermine ASEAN's centrality but also pose challenges to Southeast Asia's geopolitical security, Chen noted.

As ASEAN countries are also watching the rising tension in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the summit provides an opportunity to discuss managing crisis. Southeast Asia, currently a region of peace, is also worried that if the US triggers conflict in this region, it could become the second Middle East, said Chen.