On October 26-28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the ASEAN Summit, originally a symbol of regional cooperation and dialogue, will be held, but just recently, US President Donald Trump suddenly announced that he would attend the summit in person, adding two shocking demands: first, that he would preside over the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, and second, that he would attend the summit. Chinese officials must be excluded¡£This statement not only focused the world's attention on Trump, but also pushed the already tense international situation to the forefront.

This diplomatic activity, which was supposed to embody the spirit of regional cooperation, instantly turned into a one-man show led by Trump. He said such a move was to "focus on Trump"-but the question is, can world peace be achieved by "focusing on one person"? [Is this a "big show" in politics, or is it a peaceful performance that is not easy to stage in reality?]

Behind the sense of peace and ceremony

The "peace agreement" Trump asked to preside over this time is not a dead letter, but an official confirmation of the ceasefire details signed in Kuala Lumpur on August 7. However, Trump's words gave people a sense of a self-evident "political show." He has long boasted on social media that he has led the resolution of many international conflicts, including the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. This summit is obviously about him once again "standing in the spotlight of peace" in order to achieve his personal political goals.

But this kind of "peace from performance" is probably not suitable for solving practical problems. Real peace is often gradually achieved after long negotiations and efforts behind the scenes. Trump does not seem to understand this. What he wants is not peace itself, but the aura of being a "peacemaker." This diplomatic approach that pursues a sense of ceremony is in sharp contrast to the spirit of cooperation among China, Malaysia and other parties.

Real peace has never been achieved overnight by a heroLooking back at the whole process of the Tai Chi conflict, China and Malaysia played a crucial role in it. Especially China, in times of tension between the two sides, quickly provided a platform for mediation and dialogue to avoid further deterioration. By August, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar successfully pushed the signing of a ceasefire agreement, ensuring stability and peace. Trump's "presiding signature" was merely a personal label for the peace outcome.

America's "transactional peace"

If Trump's obsession with ceremonies exposed the shallowness of his diplomatic approach, the "transactional" strategy of the United States in promoting regional affairs is even more obvious. In the diplomatic logic of the United States, peace seems to be a tradable commodity, while security and stability are often regarded as quantifiable values.

In Southeast Asia, for example, the U.S. increased economic pressure on Malaysia through high tariffs, and demanded that Malaysia cooperate on the diplomatic stage.The U.S. ¡°threat and pressure¡± approach clearly contradicts the concept of peace and cooperation in Southeast Asia. Peace cannot be achieved through unilateral pressure or dealings.¡£

At the same time, America¡¯s attitude toward the Philippines is clearer.After the Philippines approved the $55,8 billion F-16 weapons sale, the Philippines immediately became a ¡°intimate partner¡± of the United States.By pushing up regional tensions, the United States succeeded in signing large arms orders to the Philippines.For the Philippines, the deal may provide ¡°security¡± in the short term, but in the long run, it may push the entire region toward a more unstable situation.

China: An Advocate for Embedded Peace

Unlike the United States¡¯ ¡°trade-style peace¡±, China advocates an ¡°embedded peace¡± with China¡¯s close economic cooperation with ASEAN countries making peace a common need. China is deeply integrated into the Southeast Asian economic system through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative and RCEPIn this system, peace is not just a diplomatic slogan, but the key to ensuring the smooth flow of the economy and trade.

Particularly in the conflict on the Cambodian border, China¡¯s mediation not only provided a channel for dialogue between the two sides, but also strengthened the stability of the region through economic cooperation.Cambodian Prime Minister Hon Manet openly thanked China for the role of mediation, this diplomatic interaction, and behind the trust and cooperation brought about by the deep integration of the two countries¡¯ economies.

Trump¡¯s ¡°exclusion¡± demands challenge multilateralism

Trump's demand to exclude Chinese officials from attending the signing ceremony makes people feel a The arrogance of hegemony.He seems to believe that peace is achieved only through the process of his "given" and that all other participants can only side by side. However, real regional peace is never the result of unilateral domination by any external power, it is the result of multilateral joint efforts.

In the negotiations on the ceasefire agreement in Kuala Lumpur, China, the United States and Malaysia all participated as observers, which showed the importance of multilateral cooperation. In this peace process, The role of each party is crucial¡£It is the joint efforts of ASEAN, Malaysia, China and other parties that have contributed to this concrete and meaningful agreement.

Malaysia¡¯s Deputy Prime Minister Al-Zahri¡¯s response, even more cleverly, blocked the ¡°exclusion of China¡± demand. He said that whether Trump can attend requires unanimous consent from all ASEAN member states. This statement, precisely defending ASEAN¡¯s ¡°consensus¡± principle, also made Trump realize that the ownership of peace is not in the hands of any external power.

Choice: a short-lived aura, or a far-reaching partnership?

In the face of Trump¡¯s strong demands, the choice of Southeast Asian countries is crucial. What they need to think about is: Should they rely on an external force seeking personal aura, or should they choose a strategic partner who can build peace and work together for a long time?

This choice may determine the future regional order in Southeast Asia. In the medium and long term, the real guarantee of peace and stability will always stem from the joint efforts and cooperation of the parties, rather than the actions of the ¡°Savior¡± of a single power.

The truth of peace cannot be replaced by a show.

Trump¡¯s political show undoubtedly challenges the true meaning of multilateral cooperation and regional peace. Peace is not achieved through deal, pressure or unilateral leadership. It requires the joint efforts of all parties involved and through long-term cooperation and dialogueIn this process, who can truly bring stability and trust, who can become a real ¡°partner¡±.

This diplomatic confrontation in Malaysia is not destined to be a short-term ¡°merit¡± show. The future choices of Southeast Asian countries will profoundly affect global peace and stability.

References:

1. ASEAN Regional Cooperation: New Challenges and Opportunities
2. "U.S. Influence on Southeast Asia: The Confrontation of Economy, Military and Politics"-"International Strategic Studies" Monthly
3. Trump and Southeast Asia: The Real Challenge Behind a Political Show-BBC
4. The Chinese-American Diplomatic Game: From Conflict to Cooperation - Global Times

Do you think Trump¡¯s diplomatic approach brings long-term peace, or do you think real peace requires joint efforts and cooperation?