Duterte, other leaders skip Trump-less ASEAN-US Summit in Thailand

President Rodrigo Duterte and some of his regional counterparts on Monday skipped the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the United States in Thailand.

Only Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, chair of the 35th ASEAN Summit, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc took part in the meeting with Robert O’Brien, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser.

Duterte was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Six ASEAN member states also sent their foreign ministers instead.

Thai PM @prayutofficial chaired the 7th #ASEAN-US Summit. Both sides emphasised cooperation in the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership and other key areas, including cyber cooperation and promotion of women in business sector #35ASEANSummit #ASEANThailand #THisASEAN (4 Nov 2019) pic.twitter.com/oFuF8yT1FM

— ASEAN2019TH (@ASEAN2019TH) November 4, 2019

Reports indicated that Trump was absent from the meeting as he was busy campaigning for his candidates in the gubernatorial races.

He was represented by his vice president Mike Pence at last year’s ASEAN Summit in Singapore and attended the 2017 edition in the Philippines.

“He is missed. I don’t think it affects the view of the ASEAN about the reliability of the US. For reliability we better look at their actions, rather than their presence,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters in Nonthaburi.

Duterte arrived a few minutes late to the ASEAN’s meeting with China, Japan and South Korea.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West stood in for Duterte during the photo session with ASEAN leaders that was held prior to the summit proper.

Pres. Duterte was unable to make to it to the photo oppportunity before the start of ASEAN Plus Three Summit. DFA Asec. for ASEAN Affairs Junever Mahilum-West stood in for him. The President arrived later to attend the APT Summit here in Nonthaburi, Thailand @gmanews pic.twitter.com/JKzTdQHbv7

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) November 4, 2019

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President was late to the ASEAN Plus Three Summit because the latter had to pass by the restroom.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Pres. Duterte was late for few minutes at the ASEAN Plus Three Summit as he had to pass by the rest room. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/TYLarXl5lE

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) November 4, 2019

Panelo said Duterte welcomed the continued support of China, Japan and South Korea for the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity 2025.

The plan aims to achieve a comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN through sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation, seamless logistics, regulatory excellence and people mobility.

The President also welcomed China’s “strong commitment” to support the Brunei Darussalam - Indonesia - Malaysia - Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, citing that this sub-regional cooperation framework jumpstarts development in the remotest and least developed areas in the region, such as Mindanao.

Duterte cited Japan’s Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure, which helps build state-of-the-art infrastructure networks in the region, including the first subway system in the Philippines.

He also recognized South Korea’s views on innovation and smart city developments, and lauded the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN).

Duterte also told the leaders to consider harmonizing standards on nurses and other healthcare professionals and said he looked forward to the conclusion of the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The RCEP aims to create a free trade agreement among the 10 ASEAN members and its six dialogue partners — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

But the signing of the world’s largest trade pact will likely be pushed to 2020 due to India's concern that its small businesses will be hard hit by any flood of cheap Chinese goods. —NB, GMA News