The influence of the United States can be seen in virtually every move of countries in the region that have a stake. China needs to promote its role as an anchor of peace and stability.

The region is at a critical crossroads. At stake is whether it will see more peaceful development or move toward a new cold war. Strengthened cooperation is the best choice to overcome difficulties.

China and India have found themselves in one of the worst border clashes since 1962. The two neighbors ought to take serious steps to fundamentally change the relationship to ensure that border clashes do not happen again.

In 1962, American Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith deftly diffused tensions between China and India to stop an escalating conflict. Sixty years later, diplomats would do well to heed his example in moderating Sino-Indian tensions.

The South China Sea has seen an uptick in maritime showdown in recent months. The upshot is a dangerous, multifaceted Cold War just when the world needs maximum cooperation against COVID-19.

While other parts of the world struggle to manage the pandemic, East Asian leaders show dexterity and forward-thinking in recent pandemic responses and partnership summits.

The world still has networks of science and health interests that do not necessarily require political or diplomatic blessing by a sovereign state. These may provide a surer path to a less worrisome future.

The South China Sea has become even more hotly contested as Malaysia has begun to explore energy resources in areas previously claimed by Vietnam and China. The now-three-way naval standoff throws into uncertainty the future of the stability in the region.

The assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani caused an already tense U.S.-Iran relationship to move further into disarray. Not spared from the chaos was China, whose diplomatic and economic agenda in South Asia is now in jeopardy.

Indonesia and China have notably maintained formidable bilateral relations in recent years. However, territorial disputes may prove to create fissions in their relationship as Indonesia grows increasingly critical of China’s claims in certain areas in Southeast Asia.