China the focus as Obama hosts ASEAN leaders

The White House sees this summit, and the prestigious venue, as an opportunity to champion Obama's "pivot to Asia" and ASEAN's growing importance, before the president leaves the White House in January 2017. But the more immediate aim will be to secure a united front against China's island-building and military build-up in areas that are subject to a myriad of territorial claims. The White House, betting that China does not want to be seen as a regional bully, has mustered an informal coalition of Pacific allies to demand that Beijing respect the rule of law. Read more