From AP, via The Marnila Times: “China would seem to be a scary neighbor for Southeast Asian nations, with its roaring economy that’s vacuuming up vital jobs and foreign investment from the region.
But leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations were shelving some of their anxieties about China’s growing economic power and seeking closer ties with the behemoth during their annual summit opening Monday in the Laotian capital.
Judging whether China is the region’s friend or foe isn’t so easy. The Communist giant to the north is rapidly beefing its military with weapons that could be used to resolve simmering territorial disputes with Vietnam and others in the South China Sea. ”
