Network
Indonesia's Director-General for Asia-Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Kadir Jaelani stated that it is normal for Indonesia to worry about the global implication of the AUKUS pact.
"There are some logical reasons for Indonesia to raise concerns over Australia's decision (to have a nuclear submarine) as it will change the geopolitical situation in the region, leading to the destabilization," the diplomat spoke in the discussion held by the Foreign Policy Community Indonesia (FPCI) on 1 October.
While Singapore and the Philippines welcomed the treaty, saying that the cooperation will boost regional cooperation and stability.
Vietnam showed a more neutral stance on the trilateral pact, stressing that the country always keeps track of foreign affairs.
"All countries strive for the same goal of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world over”, Hang said, adding nations around the world are responsible for contributing to such a goal," Vietnamese spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stated as cited in Hanoitimes.vn on 23 September.
ASEAN member nations don't want to be dragged into the U.S-China rivalry as they aim to maintain a good relationship with all countries.
How about Russia?
National security analyst Brandon Weichert told Media Magelang on Skype interview that people tend to forget that Russia is also building its fleet in the Pacific.
" "People forget that Russia is also exerting its influence in the Pacific, such as modernizing its Pacific Fleet based out of Vladivostok,” he said.
Russia has been the dialogue partner of ASEAN since 1996.
